Shelbourne will travel to tomorrow night’s crunch clash in Derry with two major injury worries.
Midfielder Jim Crawford is suffering from a shin complaint which prevented him from training since last Friday’s 2-1 home win over Cork City, a match in which he was particularly influential.
Crawford will undergo a fitness test upon his arrival at the Brandywell tomorrow, as will Davey Byrne who has also missed training this week due to a hamstring strain.
The Baker brothers, Richie (groin) and Dessie (knee), will again be absent for the Dubliners.
Meanwhile, a Shelbourne official today insisted that the unique atmosphere which is sure to prevail in the Brandywell tomorrow night will have no bearing on the eventual result.
Some Derry fans have vowed to give a particularly hot welcome to former Candystripe Peter Hutton, whose move from the club last summer angered a section of the support. But the largest target for the home fans chants is sure to be the visitors chief executive Ollie Byrne who was involved in a ‘controversial incident’ with some Derry fans when the two sides drew at Tolka Park earlier this season.
"The match is about three points, that’s all," said the Shels spokesman. "We’ve had two good wins in our last two games and with Shamrock Rovers slipping up last weekend, we’re now only four points off the top.
"So we’re going for the win," he added, "and if the atmosphere is enjoyable, then so much the better."