Cup winners host Derry City

Cup kings Longford Town return to the long haul tonight when they play host to Derry City in the eircom League at Flancare Park (8pm).

After an alarmng run of form which has seen Longford slide down the premier division table, Alan Matthews’ men have regained their composure, aided and abetted by a great run in the FAI Cup and victory in the League Cup final on Monday night.

The midlanders have won four of their last five matches to pull nine points clear of bottom club Dublin City but Derry have hit form, too, to lift themselves clear of ther Vikings and the sides look well matched tonight.

Longford have Graham Gartland suspended, but former Ireland U21 international Stephen Paisley has recovered from injury after more than a month on the sidelines and should be a direct replacement in defence.

Derry manager Stephen Kenny could hand debuts to deadline day signings Killian Brennan, David Forde and Ruairdri Higgins while Gareth McGlynn faces a fitness test on an injured hamstring.

Former caretaker player-boss Peter Hutton stands by to replace McGlynn for a midfield starting spot.