Striker Kelleher leaves Rovers

Shamrock Rovers striker Robbie Kelleher has parted company with the club by mutual consent and with immediate effect.

The draining commute from his home in Limerick to meet club commitments in Dublin has taken its toll.

"He's as disappointed as we are and we're very disappointed," Rovers manager Pat Scully said this evening.  "But the fact was it proved too difficult for him to match our requirements.

"Robbie's a player of great ability but having to travel up from Limerick for training and to play in games proved too much for him.  We respect his decision."

Kelleher (23) joined Rovers during the close-season along with former Limerick FC team-mates Tommy Barrett and Wayne Colbert.

The trio regularly travelled to Dublin together and met once a week to train at home in Limerick.

Kelleher has scored two stunning goals this season, both of which came in the 2-0 league win over Longford Town last month.

Scully still has four recognised strikers to select from ahead of tomorrow night's Tolka Park encounter with a Drogheda United side that can go clear at the top with a win.

Tadgh Purcell and Ger Rowe are in tremendous form and will lead the line although Andy Myler is once again in contention after recovering from injury. Colbert is also available.

Midfielder Barrett played up front for Limerick towards the end of last season and can provide added cover in that area should Scully require it.

"I want a really strong performance from the team," Scully said ahead of tomorrow's game.

"We can play against the top sides, as we proved last Friday in Cork (0-0), and if we keep that up we can get three points against Drogheda.

"It's another big game for us because Drogheda are a good side with some very good players, but once we maintain the standards we've set in recent weeks I'd be very confident."

Although buoyed by the midweek Setanta Cup win over Derry City, Drogheda manager Paul Doolin must contend with a string of fresh injuries.

Captain Declan O'Brien (knee), Aidan O'Keefe (ankle), Damian Lynch (ankle) and Graham Gartland (knee) all join Jason Gavin, Richie Baker, Dan Connor, James Keddy and Shane Barrett on the treatment table.

Friday's fixtures

Bohemians v Galway United (7.45)
Bray Wanderers v Cork City (7.45)
Derry City v UCD (7.45)
Longford Town v Waterford United (7.45)
Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United (8.00)