St Patrick’s Athletic welcome Shelbourne to Richmond Park on Friday in the Airtricity Premier Division as the Saints as try to end a decade-long period without a win over the Reds.
The Saints are just four points behind Sligo Rovers in the league and will hope to close the gap with a win over their Dublin rivals on Friday.
Shelbourne remain in the hunt for a place in next year’s European competitions with a win over a leading side just the tonic needed to push on and make a breakthrough into the top three.
The Saints continue to be without the services of Mark Rossiter with a long-term knee injury, while Jake Kelly will be assessed before kick-off having come off in the midweek EA Sports Cup game against Shamrock Rovers with a hamstring complaint.
Shelbourne will be missing Anto Murphy for the game in Inchicore due to suspension, following a red card against Shamrock Rovers.
Glenn Cronin is another possible absentee for the Tolka Park side, with the ankle injury picked up Derry City before the break.
Other than that, Shelbourne expect to have a full squad to select from. Stephen Hurley returned to the fray last week in the defeat to Rovers following a long lay-off due to injury.
Lorcan Fitzgerald is also due to return after his long absence and Philly Gorman should be fit.
Any game between Pats and Shels is always huge,” said Saints manager Liam Buckley.
"The supporters always look forward to this game as it’s always a stand-out fixture on the calendar. We know they’ll be a great crowd in Richmond supporting us on Friday, and we’ll be really pushing to get a result for them.
"We’re moving along nicely in the league to date, so a win would keep us heading in the right direction and leave us in a good position ahead of our upcoming games."
Shels boss Alan Mathews was disappointed not to take any points last time out: "We played really well against Shamrock Rovers. We worked extremely hard against a very good side and I really felt we should have got something from the game – perhaps not the three points but I definitely believe our performance warranted a point at least."
