Waterford bidding to keep European hopes alive

Waterford United v St. Patrick's Athletic, RSC, 7.30pm Referee: Paul Tuite

Waterford United bid to keep their outside hopes of a European place alive when they play host to St Patrick’s Athletic at the RSC tonight (7.30pm).

The Blues lie fifth in the premier division, seven points back from third-placed Bohemians but with a game in hand of the Dubliners who are currently in possession of the InterToto Cup qualification spot.

In between the two are Drogheda United, a point back from Bohs and also having played a game more than Waterford.

Player-manager Alan Reynolds is still out of the reckoning, however, as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in the FAI Cup final defeat to Longford Town a fortnight ago while defender Pat Purcell has an ankle problem and is also sidelined.

St Patrick's will be without former Wimbledon defender Dessie Byrne, whose hamstring problem has ruled him out for the rest of the season while striker Robbie Doyle is suspended.