Five City players suspended, two more a doubt

Derry City’s hopes of continuing their great revival in the eircom League premier division will be stretched to the limit tonight when they visit Drogheda United (7.45pm).

Caretaker boss Peter Hutton, who has overseen a run of six games without defeat that has pulled the Candystripes out of the relegation zone, will be without five players through suspension, while another two are rated doubtful due to injury.

Midfield trio Eamon Doherty, Michael Holt and Ciaran Martyn, plus central defenders Paddy McLaughlin and Clive Delaney, are all serving one-match bans tonight while Mark Farren is out with a hamstring pull and Gareth McGlynn faces a fitness test on a thigh strain.

Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin, meanwhile, has only Alan Reilly missing injured from an otherwise full-strength squad. “We have already beaten Derry twice this season,” Doolin said, “but they’re now on a good run and this will be a diffiucult match for us.

”Our three home League games in a row will be a good test for us as we have been showing better from away from home. If we are to contend, we must win our home games.”