A sardonic "thank you" for being reminded that his side lost the league title on their last visit to Turner's Cross in the final match of last season was enough to tell you of the focus manager Stephen Kenny has for Derry City's trip to face Cork City in their own back yard tonight.

And though they got some of that heartbreaking finale out of their system with a 2-0 win over the champions at the Brandywell back in May, Kenny wouldn't dwell on any additional motivation being needed ahead of a match that could see Derry open an 11-point lead on Cork.

"You can only look forward, you can't look back," said Kenny. "I don't think that will be the main focus, as we've played Cork since. The main thing is that we prepare well. Cork away is a very tough one and it always is."

With Stephen O'Flynn completing a three-match ban and captain Peter Hutton laid low with blood poisoning, Killian Brennan, who may be over a knee injury, is the only likely addition to Derry's squad from their win over St Patrick's Athletic last Sunday, their fifth straight league victory.

Cork have to rejig their midfield, with Admir Softic set to come in to replace Joe Gamble, suspended after being sent off as Cork twice came from behind to earn a good point at Shelbourne last week.

John O'Flynn remains out with his pelvic problem while George O'Callaghan continues to train with the under-21s.

Jason Byrne, who was unable to team up with the Ireland squad following a call-up last weekend, remains out with a stomach-muscle problem for leaders Shelbourne's visit to Bohemians.

Gareth Farrelly, Vinny Arkins and Des Byrne are all back from suspension. Central defender Jason McGuinness remains banned, and captain Kevin Hunt continued his recovery from a knee injury.

In desperate need of getting back on track in the title race having taken just three points from their last four games, Drogheda United welcome back their captain Declan O'Brien following a broken jaw for the trip to Waterford United.

Striker Tony Grant is out with a knee injury.

Waterford add new signings, goalkeeper Dave Conroy, defenders Robbie Hedderman and Alan Keely and striker Ger McCarthy, to their squad, which is also boosted by the return from injury of John Hayes and Kenny Browne for Gareth Cronin's competitive debut as manager.