Kenny must plan Bray's downfall without leading scorer Twigg

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREVIEW:GARY TWIGG won’t be getting an early chance to unleash his angst at not breaking his European goal drought on Bray Wanderers tonight.

Twigg wasted a late chance to score against FK Ekranas in Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Tallaght Stadium as his run without finding the net in Europe stretched to 16 games.

A suspension tonight means Twigg, the league’s topscorer this season with 15 goals, misses his first league action this season.

Likewise, however, suspension deprives Bray of arguably their star performer this campaign in Kieran “Marty” Waters. Winger Waters scored both Bray goals against Rovers in a 2-2 draw at the Carlisle Grounds earlier this season, but is banned tonight having been sent off shortly after scoring in last week 3-2 home defeat to Shelbourne.

“Overall it was a good performance and I’ll be looking for us to build on that against Bray,” said Rovers’ manager Stephen Kenny of the frustrating 0-0 draw with Ekranas. “Bray are a good side and have been causing problems for a lot of teams this year,” added Kenny, mindful of the fact Rovers had to come from 2-0 down in their first meeting.

Striker Aaron Greene (knee) remains on the injury list for Rovers. Central defender Craig Sives is a slight doubt with a knock sustained on Tuesday.

Bray welcome back captain Danny O’Connor and Adam Mitchell from suspension while fellow defender Dave Webster is fit following a knee injury.

“It’s nice to be where we are in the table, we’ll enjoy it as long as it lasts,” said Drogheda United manager Mick Cooke after his side went second in the table following a fourth win on the bounce at St Patrick’s Athletic last Sunday.

Midfielder Ryan Brennan, sent off at Richmond Park, is suspended for tonight’s trip to play Shelbourne, though both right-back Stephen Quigley and midfielder Eric Foley are back from bans. Defender-cum-midfielder Brian Gannon is absent.

Inconsistent Shelbourne, looking for a third successive win for the first time this season, continue without key midfielder Glenn Cronin (ankle) while winger Barry Clancy serves out the third match of a three game suspension.

Peter Cherrie makes his 100th league appearance in goal for Dundalk as they host Derry City at Oriel Park. Caretaker manager Darius Kierans is without defenders Luke Danville (knee) and Eoghan Osborne (shin), along with midfielder Conor McDonald (ankle) and striker Shane O’Neill (groin). Veteran central defender Liam Burns hopes to shake off the effects of a dead leg to feature.

While Derry welcome back right-back Simon Madden and influential winger Stephen McLaughlin from suspension, defender Stewart Greacen (ankle), midfielder Kevin Deery (knee) and striker Rory Patterson (hamstring) are out injured. Midfielder Ruaidhri Higgins is suspended.

TONIGHT’S GAMES: 7.45 unless stated

Premier Division

Dundalk v Derry City Home: 10/3, Draw: 9/4, Away: 17/20

Shamrock Rovers v Bray Wanderers – Live on RTÉ 2, 7.05. Home: 1/3, Draw: 7/2, Away: 8/1

Shelbourne v Drogheda Utd (8.0) Home: 6/4, Draw: 23/10, Away: 13/8

First Division

Limerick v SD Galway Home: 1/12, Draw: 7/1, Away: 20/1

Mervue United v Athlone Town Home: 7/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 11/8