Leaders Dundalk face St Pat's without injured trio

Dundalk can push further clear at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division table with victory over St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

Manager Ian Foster must plan without midfielder Alan Cawley, who is close to a return as he recovers from a fractured cheekbone.

JJ Melligan (calf) and Tom Miler (back) are injury concerns for Foster and may sit this one out.

Melligan has been carrying the injury for a couple of weeks and played on Monday night in the victory over Shamrock Rovers, although he was substituted in the closing stages.

Michael McGowan has also returned to Oriel Park and is likely to be named in the squad for the clash with St Pat’s.

Dundalk will wear a one-time-only yellow jersey against the Inchicore side as their home and away kits clash with the colours of St Pat’s.

Saints have no suspensions and the only injury concern is midfielder Brian Cash who has a thigh strain and is likely to miss out.

St Pat’s boss Pete Mahon said: “We want to get back to winning ways but Dundalk are absolutely flying it at the moment so it will be a severe test for us.

“UCD (on Monday night) was our first away defeat and while it was disappointing, I felt we created plenty of chances but simply did not take them.

“That’s something we’ve been working on in training. Defeats are hard to take but we’ll keep working hard and I’m sure it will come right again, they’re the same players so nothing has changed.”