Duo return for Hoops

Shamrock Rovers will be looking to stay clear at the top of the table when they take on Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, kick-off 8pm.

Dan Murray and Tommy Stewart come back into the Rovers squad after missing last week’s FAI Ford Cup game through injury.

However, there are slight doubts over Aidan Price (hamstring). Stephen Bradley, Stephen Rice and Pat Flynn are all suspended for the game (yellow cards).

Hoops boss Michael O’Neill said: “Obviously we’ll be looking to start this quarter as well as we finished the last; we want to maintain our run in the league.

“But Sligo are playing well, and winning, at the moment, so it’s going to be a difficult one. If we are at our best though, we should win the game.

“It’s good to have the game at home, as we have been playing some very good football in Tallaght lately, and we’ll be looking to do that again.”

Sligo will be without several key players for the trip to Tallaght.

Defender Derek Foran and midfielder Richie Ryan are absent due to suspension, while Romauld Boco is away on international duty with Benin.

Joesph N’do is a major doubt because of injury, while Mauro Almeida and Richard Brush are long-term injury worries.

Former Shamrock Rovers striker Padraig Amond has left the club to join Portugese side Pacos Ferreira.