On-form Ciaran Kilduff admits that another game is the last thing Dundalk needed but insists that his side are “raring to go” against Derry City in this evening's Irish Dail Mail FAI Cup semi-final replay (7.45pm).
The Europa League participants have a hectic fixture schedule ahead and Sunday’s 2-2 draw only added to the list.
“We didn’t need the replay but we have to get on with it,” said Kilduff, who scored the Lilywhites’ second on Sunday as well as their winner last week against Maccabi.
“We have a big squad but we are happy to play another game. It’s congestion but we are ready to go.
"We are well prepared for the game. We were comfortable for long stretches on Sunday but it’s another chance to get to the Aviva Stadium again.
"We are raring to go again and we are ready for the game.”
Stephen Kenny’s men are bidding to reach their second successive Cup final and will have to do so without the services of weekend goalscorer Dean Shiels, while captain Stephen O’Donnell misses out as he serves a one-match ban for the accumulation of five yellow cards.
Patrick McEleney will undergo a late fitness test on a hip injury.
FT Dundalk 2-2 Derry City - Great comeback from Derry, they'll do it all again on Tuesday night #RTEsoccer https://t.co/1dGFNHQBQh
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) October 2, 2016
Meanwhile, Derry boss Kenny Shiels reckons his side can get the job done at the second time of asking at the Brandywell.
He said: “This is 11 games now, and eight of them have been away, and we have lost once.
“The form has been fantastic, and we have the capacity to get through this. Psychologically, coming back from two goals might labour with Dundalk a bit because they will be thinking they had it in the can.
"They will be asking, ‘Why didn’t we close it out?
“But I’m really thrilled. The determination and the character of the players at half time was key. We spoke about it at half time and we weren’t happy with the goals we gave away.
"We broke the second half into two and I told the players to be patient because we are as good as them, and the goals came.”
Elsewhere, the Premier Division re-match between Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps takes place tonight at the Showgrounds (7.45pm).
One month ago the game between the teams had to be abandoned after just 20 minutes due to persistent heavy rain rendering the playing field unplayable.
The Bit o’Red will look to build on two good performances and results which have earned draws against Cork City and St Patrick’s Athletic in the two most recent games.
Micheal Schlingermann and Gavin Peers are injured, while Mick Leahy is suspended.
Finn Harps, meanwhile, will want to end a nine-game losing streak, which has seen them fall to tenth in the table.
“Sligo should have beaten Cork that night at the Showgrounds (0-0) which just demonstrates the standard we will be up against," said manager Ollie Horgan.
Harps will be without vice-captain and left-back Ciaran Coll as well as striker Dave Scully due to suspensions.
