Derry City hope to banish demons against St Pat's

Derry City will be hoping to banish their FAI Cup nightmare when they travel to Richmond Park to take on in-form St Patrick's Athletic, kick-off 7.45pm.

City travel to Inchicore without the suspended James McClean, but otherwise manager Stephen Kenny has a full squad to choose from.

Kenny said: “We are extremely disappointed to have been knocked out of the cup so tamely.

“For a lot of the players, it is their first real disappointment having won the First Division last season and playing well to date.

“I'm looking for a positive response and we will have to earn the right to play in Richmond Park.”

St Pat’s remain without captain Conor Kenna who is out with a knee injury.

Derek Pender is set to miss his first game of the campaign as he is ruled out with a foot injury.

Derek Doyle (dead leg) is expected to return, while James O’Brien may be added to the panel.

Saints manager Pete Mahon said: “We’re trying to keep players fresh with all the fixtures being played and the European games not far away.

“We’ve three big games now in a week with Derry tonight, Dundalk on Monday and Drogheda next Friday.

“We know a win in this game will see us in the top three but we want to be top of the league, never mind the top three - that’s the goal.”

The Saints have not lost a league game in nine matches and it should be a high-scoring affair as Derry (31 goals) and St Pat’s (24 goals) are the two highest scoring sides in the top flight.