Shelbourne will hope to put their poor start in defence of their National League title to one side and adopt a positive approach against Hibernians at the Ta'Qali Stadium in Valetta, Malta, this evening (6.30 p.m. Irish time).

"We are playing a side of similar capability to ourselves and I think we've got to go out and have a go at them," said manager Pat Fenlon. "It will be like a league game for us. We will start a little cautiously but we will try to win the game."

Fenlon is only mildly concerned about the temperatures on the Mediterranean island which reached 36 degrees yesterday. "It is much cooler around kick-off time so I'm not expecting us to have a major problem with the heat."

Shelbourne have been acclimatising in Malta since Friday and have also done their homework on the local champions. "Mick Neville and Fred Davis came out earlier to watch them and we've got a thorough report on them," said Fenlon. Maltese player-of-the-year, Adrian Mifsud, who scored 27 goals last season, is seen as the chief threat to Shelbourne.

Fenlon will make several enforced changes with striker Stephen Geoghegan suspended and midfielder Davy Byrne out with a hamstring strain. New signing Mark Roberts is set to make his full debut partnering Trevor Molloy in attack.

It's at the other end of the field that Shelbourne have looked vulnerable, though Fenlon insists he is not looking for another central defender. "It's in the back of the head, all right, but it's something we've worked on since we got here," said Fenlon of his defence which has conceded six goals in two league games. "I know the defenders I have can defend so it's a matter of getting it back into their heads they can defend properly."