DERRY City travel for what seems like the now annual clash with Linfield at Windsor Park without a string of players but Stephen Kenny is likely to bring back Tommy Stewart to face his former club.

Barry Molloy (calf), Kevin Deery (knee), Steven Gray (ankle), Sammy Morrow (ankle), Clive Delaney (hamstring) and James McLean (thigh) are all set to miss the game, while the hosts will be without their injured captain Noel Bailie and Michael Gault, who is suspended. Jamie Mulgrew is a doubt as is former City striker Kevin McHugh, who is struggling to shake off a bout of flu.

Cliftonville boss Eddie Patterson, meanwhile, said this week he was unhappy with the timing of the Setanta games, and is seemingly disillusioned with the competition. He is expected to rest senior players and give some younger players a chance against Sligo at Solitude.

- Emmet Malone