Fenlon prepares to do battle with a friend

National League: "It will be very peculiar being in the opposite dugout to Dermot," says Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon as he prepares to face his former mentor, Derry City boss Dermot Keely, for the first time at Tolka Park tonight.

"I played under Dermot and had my most successful time under him in League of Ireland football and I have a lot of respect for him and what he has achieved.

"But I have my job to do and he has his. He's looking for points for a different reason and I need them to stay top of the table.

"We'll get on with it. He knows what I'm like and I know what he's like. We'll shake hands afterwards and have a pint, but I'm sure it will be war on the touchline."

While Keely brings a fully fit squad to Drumcondra, injuries may force Fenlon into changes from the side that won 2-1 in Waterford on Monday night.

Defender Jim Gannon remains out with an ankle injury while midfielders Jim Crawford (shoulder), Richie Baker (hamstring) and Stuart Byrne (back), and defender Tony McCarthy (hamstring) are doubtful. Kevin Doherty is over a bout of flu and will start if McCarthy isn't fit.

Fenlon has succeeded in persuading Don Givens to release Wes Hoolahan from international duty with the Irish under-21s who play Russia at the RSC tonight.

Former UCD and West Ham United central defender Clive Delaney is set for his St Patrick's Athletic debut against Shamrock Rovers in another Dublin derby at Richmond Park.

Left-back Karim El Khebyr returns from suspension having missed the 2-0 win in Cork last week, but midfielder Davy Byrne, who retired after just two minutes of that game with a recurrence of an ankle injury, is out.

Right-back Barry Prenderville will require a late fitness test on an ankle injury as St Pat's look for a sixth successive win.

Rovers' manager Liam Buckley, under increasing pressure after just one win in 10 games, waits on central defenders Terry Palmer (calf) and Stephen McGuinness (foot).

"It was tight against Bohemians," said Buckley of their 2-1 defeat at the same venue on Monday night. "They had 20 minutes in the second half when they got on top after I felt we had marginally the better of the first half. We need to score first.

"St Pat's are going well at the top of the table having already won the League Cup. We have to get back into contention for a European place."

Michael Dempsey returns in goal for Longford Town against Bohemians at Flancare Park as Stephen O'Brien, sent-off in Derry last Sunday, is suspended.

Striker Shane Barrett is sidelined for another week with a foot injury so Liam Kelly contests a starting place up front with Eric Lavine and Sean Francis.

Bohemians captain Kevin Hunt remains out with a hamstring strain while winger Mark Rutherford, who also missed the win over Shamrock Rovers on Monday, is a doubt. However, striker Paul Keegan should be fit to return to the squad following a foot injury as the champions strive for a third win on the spin.