Rovers look to move to within two points of Bohs

Shamrock Rovers can move to within two points of Bohemians with victory over their Dublin rivals at Tallaght Stadium tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

Rovers must plan without Gary Twigg (calf), Dessie Baker (broken arm), Pat Sullivan (knee) and Stephen Bradley (wrist).

And there are doubts about the availability of Paddy Kavanagh (hamstring), Pat Flynn (hip), Craig Sives (calf) and Sean O’Connor (knee).

“Gary Twigg started back training with us on Monday,” said Hoops boss Michael O’Neill. “But it would be unrealistic to think he’s going to play; it just wouldn’t be fair to put him in that situation.

“It’ll be a huge boost for us if we can get the win. But it’s certainly not a make-or-break game, as some people are saying. Getting the win would be more important for us in terms of what it would do for the team in terms of us pushing on.

“There should be a huge crowd and a great atmosphere in Tallaght on Friday, and everyone is really looking forward to the game.

“Bohs have had a good start to the season, but we are confident that we can pick up three points tonight and kick-start our season.”

For Bohs, Steven Gray (ankle) and Anto Murphy (shoulder) have both missed several matches but they are in training and should be available.

So Gypsies boss Pat Fenlon will have a full squad to choose from going into this Dublin derby.

Fenlon, however, knows that the trip to Tallaght is not going to be easy.

He said: “It’s going to be tough. Going to Tallaght is always difficult, because everyone expects a big game. We are going into the game in decent form so we’re happy enough.”