Portadown look to Arkins on Tolka return

Soccer: Portadown will travel to Dublin for this first Setanta Cup game south of the Border hoping to end a slump in form that has all but ended their hopes of overhauling Glentoran and Linfield at the top of the Irish League table.

Manager Ronnie McFaul hasn't conceded defeat in the title race but insists his side are underdogs when it comes to taking on the likes of Shelbourne and Cork City in this competition.

"We're looking forward to it because Shelbourne are the top club in Ireland at the moment but of the six clubs in the tournament we've got the smallest budget and I'm sure people would expect to end up at the bottom of our group . . . we'll see."

The visitors bring Vinny Arkins back to Tolka Park with them and McFaul will be hoping the normally prolific Dubliner and the rest of his players can take their chances this evening, which they failed to do in Saturday's goalless draw with Crusaders.

Last season's leading scorer, in the Eircom League, Jason Byrne, looks set to return to the Shelbourne line-up after missing the visit of UCD due to suspension.

Byrne, Jim Crawford and David Crawley were all serving league bans last Wednesday and the striker looks certain to start tonight, possibly partnering fellow international Glen Crowe up front in a competitive game for the first time.

Pat Fenlon has a couple of injury problems, however, with Glen Fitzpatrick and close season signing Bobby Ryan both likely to sit the game out due to groin strains. Wes Hoolahan and Richie Baker are in contention to replace Ryan on the right side of midfield.

"I'm hoping for an improvement on the performances against UCD," said Fenlon yesterday. "The players were a bit edgy then but it was only the first competitive game after what had been a long close season and I watched the game between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers on Friday and I think they were suffering from a bit of the same thing.

"We just need the lads to relax a bit more, but I'm sure that will come. I saw Portadown on Saturday and I was impressed, they're strong in the centre of midfield and up front and have good players out wide too so it'll be a tough game but an interesting one."

Shelbourne v Portadown, Tolka Park, 7.15, On TV: Setanta Sports