Rotation on the cards for Linfield and Derry

Linfield are aiming to open their Setanta Sports Cup campaign with a win at home to Derry City at Windsor Park tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Blues will be looking to take their fine league form into the all-Ireland competition after their weekend 3-0 defeat of Larne kept up their push for the title.

Linfield boss David Jeffrey has said that he will rotate his squad for the Setanta competition, which may give some of the senior players a well-deserved break.

Midfielder Paul McAreavey is likely to come back into the side, while veteran striker Glenn Ferguson may be rested, with the league campaign reaching the critical stage.

"No doubt I will be rotating on Monday night," said Jeffrey.

"I have told the players we will make changes. That is no disrespect to Setanta. The competition it is phenomenal. We have done very well. Inaugural winners, beaten semi-finalists then beat in last year's final."

Derry got their season off to a winning start beating UCD on Friday night.

The Candystripes have had a day longer to recover than their opponents, although the game may come a bit too quick as it is only their second competitive game of the season.

Goalkeeper Darren Quigley picked up a knock on Friday and is a doubt for the Windsor clash.

City boss Stephen Kenny is also set to rotate his squad with one eye on Friday's north-west derby against Finn Harps.

There should be a great atmosphere in Windsor Park for the televised clash as Derry have sold out their 1,200 allocated tickets.