Premier Division

Tonight

Finn Harps v St Patrick's Athletic (Finn Park, 7.45)

Gavin Dykes, confirmed as Finn Harps' new manager until the end of next season, hopes to have put his stamp on his new team by the end of the season.

Dykes himself is fit again after a groin strain while Brian McKenna returns in goal having missed last week's game with a thigh strain. Jonathan Minnock has a slight hamstring strain.

St Patrick's are struggling with Trevor Molloy suspended, while Dessie Byrne is away with the Irish under-18s in Malta.

Late fitness tests are required on Packie Lynch, Barry Prenderville, Paul Osam and Paul Donnelly. Leading scorer Marcus Hallows returns from suspension.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Finn Harps 2 St Patrick's Athletic 1, St Patrick's Athletic 2 Finn Harps 2, Finn Harps 0 St Patrick's Athletic 3; 1999/2000: St Patrick's Athletic 2 Finn Harps 1.

Current league form: Finn Harps: WLWLW; St Patrick's Athletic: WDWWD.

Leading scorers: Finn Harps: Mulligan (seven); St Patrick's Athletic: Hallows (four).

Referee: J McDermott (Dublin)

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/4.

Sligo Rovers v Waterford United (Showgrounds, 7.30)

A massive morale boost is in store for Sligo's caretaker manager David Pugh over the coming weeks.

The club are believed to have already received four applications for the manager's post, vacated by Jim McInally after last week's 5-0 home defeat to Cork City. Pugh has stressed he is not interested in the job permanently.

Wesley Charles is set to return to Sligo's defence while former youth international Conor O'Grady may be fit enough to make the bench. Waterford are at full strength with only Alan Reynolds still unavailable.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Sligo Rovers 1 Waterford United 1, Waterford United 1 Sligo Rovers 1, Sligo Rovers 2 Waterford United 1. 1999/2000: Waterford United 1 Sligo Rovers 0.

Current league form: Sligo Rovers: WWLDL; Waterford United: DDLWD.

Leading scorers: Sligo Rovers: Moran (eight); Waterford United: Gannon, Grant, Iorfa and Stirling, (two each).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Betting: Home: 8/11, Draw: 9/4, Away: 100/30.

Tomorrow

Cork City v Galway United (Turner's Cross, 2.0)

Phil Harrington gets an early 35th birthday present, though scarcely in ideal circumstances, when he makes his first start of the campaign between the Cork posts.

Regular goalkeeper Noel Mooney suffered an horrific knee cut in training on Tuesday night and will be out for up to two months.

Mark Herrick (hip) and Gerald Dobbs (back strain) are also unavailable to manager Dave Barry who said his league leaders played their best 45 minutes of the season in the first-half at Sligo last week. Bottom of the table Galway's woes continued yesterday with the news that their captain and leading scorer, Billy Clery, had lost his appeal against a three match suspension.

Having acquired a subsequent two match ban while playing under appeal, Clery is now out for five games. Ollie Keogh returns from a two match ban and Luther Watson and Gareth Gorman are fit following ankle injuries.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 1999/2000: Galway United 1 Cork City 4.

Current league form: Cork City: WWLWW; Galway United: LLLDL.

Leading scorers: Cork City: Morley (10); Galway United: Clery (four).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Betting: Home: 1/4, Draw: 7/2, Away: 10/1.

Shamrock Rovers v Derry City (Morton Stadium, 2.0)

Manager Damien Richardson was particularly annoyed that Rovers lost at the Brandywell back in September to a late Derry winner. The injury news remains serious for Richardson with Billy Woods out for up to six weeks with a broken toe while striker Tony Cousins, who has had an exploratory operation on his troublesome knee, is also a cause for concern. Shane Jackson is suspended leaving Richie Purdy to continue in central defence alongside Tery Palmer.

With Captain Derek Tracey still doubtful, Marc Kenny should keep his place in central midfield.

Derry have Gary Beckett back after he missed the 2-2 draw in Waterford last Sunday. Beckett will continue to play despite a knee problem.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Shamrock Rovers 0 Derry City 0, Derry City 1 Shamrock Rovers 1, Shamrock Rovers 1 Derry City 0; 1999/2000: Derry City 1 Shamrock Rovers 0.

Current league form: Shamrock Rovers: LDDWL; Derry City: LLLLD.

Leading scorers: Shamrock Rovers: Woods (six); Derry City: Beckett, McCaul and McIvor (two each).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin)

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.