Drogheda United manager Harry McCue will wait until shortly before this evening's kick-off against Finn Harps before making a final decision on the fitness of central defender Pat Scully who is struggling to shake off a bout of flu.

"We're hopeful he'll be okay, though, and everybody else is available," says the United boss who is anxious his players build on their improved league form and provide their supporters with a rare cup run.

"Harps are a good side," he says, "and I know them fairly well because they still have a lot of the lads that were there when I had Drogheda in the first division.

"They're the favourites for promotion in my view but I'd hope that after a few years, when we've always been under pressure of one type or another in the league and the cup has had to take a back seat, that this year we could continue our recent form and put a run together."

Anchored to the foot of the Premier division, UCD's confidence would benefit from a good cup win over Belgrove, the non-league outfit managed by UCD player Alan Mahon's father, Peter. Tony McDonnell is out with a hamstring problem but Hugh Davey is available again after playing for Northern Ireland in the Milk Cup last week while the visitors are missing several first-team regulars due to holidays as well as the injured Paul Knight.

John Ryan is expected to take charge of Kildare County for their tie against Cherry Orchard after Gavin Dykes turned down the manager's job and confirmed he will be following Dermot Keely to the Brandywell: "They're a great bunch of lads and I would loved to have taken the opportunity to be honest but the chance to go back to Derry where I had some good times as a player is attractive too and, with having a job in Sligo, it just wasn't practical for me so all I can do is wish them well."