Saints looking to bounce back

St Patrick's Athletic take on Derry City at Richmond Park tonight and the Saints will be looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Bohemians, kick-off 7.45pm.

Declan O’Brien picked up a hamstring injury against Bohemians and is a major doubt while Mark Quigley is struggling with a knee injury.

Defender Noel Haverty remains out with a hamstring injury, while Damien Lynch is suspended.

Saints manager Pete Mahon said: “We have to pick ourselves up after the defeat on Tuesday, it was a very poor and very flat performance.

“The first goal just seemed to kill us off and full credit must go to Bohemians, once they smelled blood they went for it.

“We need to get back to a resemblance of the team that played Bray and Dundalk. It’s a vital stage of the season for us as the next two games will determine our end of season position.

“Derry will be difficult, they’ve picked up a few injuries and have lost a few in a row so they’ll be determined to bring that to a halt.

“We’ll have to stay focused on our own game and try and impose ourselves early in the match. We’ll be better than we were last Tuesday and that’s for sure”.

City will also be hoping for a change in fortune on Friday night as they suffered their fifth straight league defeat to Sligo during the week.

And Candystripes boss Stephen Kenny travels with a weakened squad with Sammy Morrow, Mark Farren and Thomas Stewart all missing.

Tam McManus is doubtful as he is recovering from an ankle injury.

Kenny said: "We have lost our last five games and confidence is not all that high but one victory can change all that and we want to try and finish in third place.

"We have a game against St Pat's who are in real relegation trouble, even though they have largely the same squad that finished second in the league last season.

"They need the points to avoid a play-off and stay up while we have an opportunity to qualify for Europe, even though we have made it difficult for ourselves.

"We have got to be positive and get the victory - we must believe that we can win and get out of the poor run of form we have been in.”