WITH NO shortening of his injury list, the true strength in depth of St Patrick's Athletic's squad gets its sternest test yet against champions Drogheda United at United Park tonight.
Defenders Joe O'Cearuill, David Partridge, Damien Lynch, Jamie Harris and John Frost, the first four of whom are first team regulars, continue their rehabilitation.
Midfielder Joseph Ndo also remains out with a knee injury. Though joint-top scorer Mark Quigley suffered a knock to his ribs in Tuesday's under-23 international at Lurgan, he's expected to be fit.
St Patrick's sit four points clear at the top of the table, nine ahead of Drogheda, who will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat last week to Bray.
Manager Paul Doolin rates influential right-back Brian Shelley as 50-50 to be fit following the hamstring injury that's sidelined him for three weeks.
Having taken just four points from their last five games, three points from a first win in six matches would be most welcome indeed for Derry City who host second-bottom Cobh Ramblers.
Paddy McCourt's return from a back injury should add confidence to their hopes of getting it, though Darren Quigley (wrist), Seán Hargan (ankle/knee), Ciaran Martyn (groin) and Sammon Morrow (knee) remain out
An ankle injury suffered by Cobh's central defender Shane Guthrie playing for Ireland Under-23s on Tuesday has sidelined him, while midfielder Alan Kearney remains out with a hamstring injury. Conor Meade and Mickey O'Shea are also out, while Ken Coleman and Kieran O'Reilly are doubtful.
Manager Stephen Henderson has both midfielder Shane Barrett and striker Graham Cummins back following suspension.
UCD reshuffle their defence in the absence of the suspended Brian Shortall at home to bottom side Galway United.
How reshuffled is contingent on captain Conor Kenna's recovery from his hip injury at Lurgan on Tuesday. Alan McNally drops back into defence, while Evan McMillan will come in for Kenna if needs be. Midfielder Shane Fitzgerald is out with a virus.
New Galway manager Jeff Kenna gives late fitness tests to winger Derek O'Brien and striker Stephen O'Flynn.
Manager Paul Hegarty returns to Harps' dugout for the clash with Shamrock Rovers at Ballybofey after a four-game ban hoping for a first victory in eight games.
Rovers boss Pat Scully is hopeful midfielder Danny O'Connor and striker Tadhg Purcell will pass fitness tests, but remains without Chris Mulhall (knee), Darren Stapleton (thigh), John Martin (hip), Robbie Creevy (ankle) and Pat Flynn (ankle).
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