Depleted Drogheda United must contend with five suspensions for tonight’s FAI Ford Cup quarter-final replay with Derry City in The Brandywell (7.45pm).
Damien Richardson’s men held on for a 2-2 draw in last Friday's first meeting of the sides, with the Boynesiders finishing the game with eight men.
Peter McGlynn, Shane Grimes and Gavan Holohan were dismissed and as a result sit out the replay.
Mick Daly and Gavin Brennan have one-match bans to serve because of accumulated yellow cards.
Gary O’Neill is also a slight doubt having sustained a groin injury.
Richardson said: “Friday was a night in which so much went against us but the heroic attitude of the players kept us on track and in the Cup. I admired the honesty and determination of the team to work that little bit harder and show such resolve not to concede.
“Although we are going to Derry with a weakened side due to the suspensions, I have great confidence in the group and I feel that we can do ourselves justice. It isn’t a forgone conclusion by any stretch of the imagination.
“We will need a special performance tonight, we know that as we are down to the bare-bones. There will be a number of the under-19s and under-17s on the bench so it will need a terrific display in terms of both character and quality from the 11 players selected but I'm confident that we will come up with something good.”
Rory Patterson and Barry Molloy are struggling for Derry with back and groin problems respectively.
Peter Hutton has warned his player not to take Drogheda lightly.
The Derry boss said: “Drogheda will still put out a decent side and you can't take anything for granted in cup football.
“However, if we play to our best we should be okay.”
