UCD pitch passes inspection for vital Rovers game

There is a massive game taking place in both tiers of the Airtricity League tonight.

Shamrock Rovers will retain their Premier Divison title if they can beat UCD at the Belfield Bowl tonight.

The game, which had to be postponed from last night, now looks set to go ahead at 7.05pm after the pitch passed an inspection earlier.

In the First Division, Shelbourne will seal automatic promotion to the top-flight if they can beat Finn Harps at Tolka Park at 8pm tonight.

The Hoops are one point ahead of Sligo Rovers and a win tonight would open up an unassailable lead going into the final round of games on Friday.

Billy Dennehy and Chris Turner are suspended for Rovers, while Gary Twigg is out with a hamstring problem. Twigg would have been suspended for the clash either way as he has picked up four yellow cards.

In-form striker Karl Sheppard is a doubt as he is struggling with a thigh injury, while Enda Stevens is also a concern after picking up a knock in Thursday night's Europa League clash with PAOK.

Rovers boss Michael O’Neill said: “This is a huge game for the club. If we win, we win the league, and that is obviously our aim going into the tie.

“We don't want it to have to go to the last game of the season, so we will want to wrap it up against UCD.

"But we know UCD will be up for a battle. They have been on the end of a couple of heavy defeats to us this year and will want to make up for that. We will have to be clinical on the night."

UCD will be looking to spoil the Hoops party but will have to plan without suspended duo Samir Belhout and Daniel Ledwith.

The Students haven’t played a league game for over two weeks since Martin Russell’s side were beaten 2-0 by Bohemians.

However, College are on an impressive run of form at home after securing maximum points from their last five league games at the Bowl.

The only defeat Russell’s side have suffered at home since August was the 6-0 hammering by tonight’s opponents in the FAI Cup.

Sean Harding, Cillian Morrison and Sean Russell are all injury concerns for Russell ahead of tonight’s clash.