Hector back for Saints after three-match ban

Dundalk and St Patrick’s Athletic go head-to-head in tonight’s Airtricity League Premier Division clash at Richmond Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Lilywhites have a poor record against the Saints with just one win in their last 10 meetings.

Ian Foster’s side travel to Inchicore without Dean Bennett who is serving a suspension, while Eoghan Osborne is ruled out with a hamstring strain.

Shane Guthrie is ineligible to play against Saints but Michael Hector returns following a three-match ban.

Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie said: “The league is our bread and butter so that is what we have got to look forward to first and foremost.

“Then when it comes to the cup games, the boys have got to knuckle down and work hard if they want to go far. We want to go and win the Setanta Cup. But St Pat’s is our focus now.

“We know St Pat’s are a good team. We have got to keep it tight at the back and hopefully our midfield and forwards can come up with the goods and score goals.”

The Saints have suffered two defeats in their last two league games and will be hoping to kick-start their league campaign despite their injury problems.

Conor Kenna (knee) and Brian Shortall (ankle) are both due to have scans on their respective injuries.

Saints captain Kenna will again be absent having missed last Friday’s game with Shamrock Rovers, while Shortall is rated extremely doubtful.

Ian Daly and Daryl Kavanagh miss out with hip and hamstring injuries, while manager Pete Mahon also has a doubt over last season’s top scorer Danny North.

Midfielder Paul Crowley is in line to make his league debut for St Pat’s having missed the first three games of the season through suspension and illness.

Mahon said: “It’s obviously going to be a difficult game against Dundalk particularly with the injury problems we have.

“They’ve had a great start to the season as they did last season and unlike last season we haven’t.

“The games between the two sides last year were spicy affairs but without any malice and I would expect more of the same.

“We were all disappointed after last week’s game as I think we did enough to get a draw out of the game.”