Cooke looking forward to first derby as a Drogs boss

Dundalk take the short trip south to face Drogheda United in tonight’s Louth derby at Hunky Dorys Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Lilywhites must plan without long-term injury victim Eoghan Osborne who remains out with a fractured tibia.

Midfielder Greg Bolger remains out with a thigh strain and Stephen Maher is also ruled out with a groin strain.

Shane Guthrie may not play as he is recovering from a bout of concussion.

Dundalk winger Ross Gaynor said: “It’s a great game to be involved in. We have to go out and score the goals. It’s not like we can go out and counter against Drogheda.

“The way that we’re playing, hopefully we can just keep it going, and hopefully we can get the three points.”

Drogheda boss Mick Cooke has no injury worries ahead of the game and Alan McNally is in line to start after playing 45 minutes against Bray last week.

Cooke said: “This will be my first derby as a Drogheda manager. I have played in it many times as a Drogheda player. It's a game that you always check to see when it is on and I am certainly looking forward to it.

“It will not be an easy game. Dundalk are a full-time outfit and are in the Setanta Cup final, which is a testament to how much they have come on.

“The atmosphere should be electric and it's always nice to have the bragging rights for a few weeks. The lads are up for this 110% and we will certainly look to put it up to Dundalk.”