Sligo Rovers will be under strength for their visit to Tallaght Stadium to face league leaders Shamrock Rovers tonight, kick-off 8.00pm.
Defender Derek Foran and midfielder Richie Ryan are will miss out due to suspension, while Romauld Boco is away on international duty with Benin.
Injury makes Joseph Ndo a major doubt, while Mauro Almeida and first-choice goalkeeper Richard Brush are long-term absentees.
However, the Bit O’ Red’s biggest loss will be Padraig Amond, who has completed a move to Portuguese side Pacos Ferreira.
Former Shamrock Rovers hit-man Amond had been having a tremendous season with Sligo, topping the scoring charts with 17 Premier Division goals to his name.
Unfortunately for the Connacht side such potency attracts interest, and the Carlow native found the lure of top flight action in Portugal too difficult to resist.
And while Sligo may have pocketed an undisclosed fee with the possibility of add-ons, manager Paul Cook will now have to find another regular source of goals.
Shamrock Rovers have no such worries after Gary Twigg had a two-game suspension overturned, clearing him to lead the Hoops’ line this evening. The Scottish frontman is closest to Amond on the scoring charts after netting 13 times in the league.
Defender Dan Murray and attacker Tommy Stewart are available again for the Hoops after both men missed last week’s FAI Ford Cup win over Longford Town through injury.
The home side do have worries over the fitness of central defender Aidan Price, who is struggling with a hamstring complaint. Manager Michael O’Neill will definitely have to plan without suspended trio Stephen Bradley, Stephen Rice and Pat Flynn.
The Hoops will also be looking for some revenge after Sligo beat them in the EA Sports Cup semi-final recently.
