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A crucial game for Dundalk who face the prospect of being dragged back into the relegation scrap unless they can string another couple of decent results together.

They had actually been going fairly solidly until a couple of weeks ago, but then defeats (hardly surprise ones) away to the two championship contenders robbed them of their upward momentum in the table.

Tonight they'll be without Brian Byrne (knee ligaments), David Hoey (back in training after a long lay-off through illness, but still a couple of weeks away from returning), Shane Reddish (suspended) and quite possibly Ray Campbell (groin).

The home side switched to playing with three centre halves in Cork last week and despite the score-line, there was general satisfaction with the ploy so it could be the tactic favoured again this evening.

Derry, meanwhile, arrive having been well beaten in both their last two outings, one of which was the cup game with Shelbourne.

Things are at least better than last week, though, with Paul Curran expected to return to the defence and Liam Coyle to the attack. Gary Beckett's fitness is less certain but Kevin Mahon will be hoping to have close to his best team available.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Derry 1 Dundalk 2, Dundalk 0 Derry 1, Derry 0 Dundalk 0; 98/99: Dundalk 2 Derry 2, Derry 0 Dundalk 1.

Recent league form: Dundalk: DWLDL; Derry: DDWDL.

Leading scorers: Dundalk: Ward 4; Derry: Coyle 8.

Betting: Home: 7/4, draw: 9/4, away: 5/4.