Three out, three doubtful for Lilywhites

Sean McCaffrey will take charge of a Dundalk side for the first time in a league fixture in an intriguing clash with Liam Buckley’s St Patrick’s Athketic.

The Lilywhites drew 0-0 with Monaghan United first time out while the Saints carved out a 1-0 win over Bray at home.

Dundalk are without Chris Shields (knee) through injury while Mark Griffin (groin) and Eoghan Osborne (leg) are also out.

Michael Rafter (ankle), Nathan Murphy (hamstring) and Paul Walsh (thigh) are doubts.

Jake Kelly and Christy Fagan are suspended for St Pats while Greg Bolger returns from a ban.

Aidan Price is still working his way back to fitness.

Lilywhites boss Sean McCaffrey said: "It will be a different type of match to Monaghan. St Pat’s are a star-studded outfit and an expensive outfit. It will be very interesting.

"We have the quality and individual talent in the squad to beat anybody. That’s my honest opinion. But it’s just going to take us a wee while for it to gel and for the players to mature."

St Pat’s boss Liam Buckley said: "Dundalk have got a lot of new bodies and young players in their team like ourselves, so it will be a tough test.

"I think it is going to be a very tight and competitive league this year so there will be no easy games. You don’t want to have a bad start to the league so it is important we get a result."