Shelley out for Drogheda

League champions Drogheda United take on out-of-form Finn Harps at United Park tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

United will be without defender Brian Shelley, who suffered a hamstring injury last week against Cork City.

Boss Paul Doolin hopes the full-back will be back in contention soon.

He said: "We don't think it was as bad as we first feared with Brian, hopefully he won't be out for too long."

Also missing are long-term injuries Shaun Maher, Dan Connor (both of whom could return to training next week) and Guy Bates who will be out of action for another two weeks.

Harps manager Paul Hegarty will again have to plan without a number of key personnel.

Gary Beckett, Jonathan Minnock, Stephen Parkhouse and Tony Sheilds will all sit out this week's game.

Shaun Williams, on-loan from the visitors, will also watch from the stands as he is ineligible.

Marc Mukendi (groin), Aaron Labonte (groin) and Chris Breen (ankle) are all rated as extremely doubtful, while Kevin Ramsey, Shaun McGowan and Marc Brolly are all carrying slight knocks.

"It's a tough situation, but we'll have to carry on," said Hegarty.

"People are talking about getting a goal, but right now, I'm just looking to get a team out on the pitch on Friday.

"The whole spine of our team has been unavailable for most of the season. Things are going against us off the pitch as well as on it, but there's no point in complaining because nobody will listen to us."