Galway United v Wexford Youths, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45
Galway United boss Tommy Dunne has warned his men they need to show more "desire and hunger" ahead of the visit of Wexford Youths on Friday night.
The Tribesmen are fifth in the table, nine points adrift of Shamrock Rovers in fourth, and are coming off the back of two defeats on the bounce, to Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps. Dunne wants a response.
"Every home game we play, we’re looking to try and win," he told the club's official website.
“Overall, our performance, desire and hunger needs to improve. We need to go a higher level.
“The Wexford Youths game is hugely important. We know how strong they are, we know their threats. They’re a physical outfit, who are always very well organised.
“Since I’ve come in as manager of Galway United, every game we’ve faced them in has always been incredibly tight.
“That said, we feel that we must perform at home and get back to our best. We’re looking forward to the game and finally getting back in-front of our own supporters again.
“We feel confident enough that if we perform on the day, we can achieve a positive result.”
Jesse Devers is ruled out after he broke his hand in training, while Marc Ludden (groin) and Alex Byrne (groin) are doubts.
However Dunne is confident new goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom will get clearance to make his debut.
Bohemians FC v Derry City, Dalymount Park, 8.0
Keith Long wants his Bohs charges to reward the home faithful with a performance when Derry City come to town tonight.
Derry are on an upward curve under Kenny Shiels, currently sitting third in the table, six points off second-placed Cork City.
The Gypsies are languishing in ninth, but Long sees the Candystripes' visit as a golden opportunity to pump up the crowd.
"It’s going to be another tough game for us," Long told www.bohemianfc.com.
"They’re well organised – everyone has a job to do and they stick to it.
“They’ve really improved. You only have to look at their league position to know they’re a different prospect for any side this season compared to last season.
“But we’re at home so it’s up to us to go out and give a performance.”
The hosts are hampered by a string of absentees.
Keith Buckley serves a one-game ban after his seeing red in the Dublin derby defeat to Shamrock Rovers.
Stephen Best is ruled out with a knee injury, while Lorcan Fitzgerald (ankle) is also a likely absentee and Ayman Ben Mohamed (groin), Eoin Wearen (hamstring), Dylan Hayes (ankle) and Derek Pender (quad) are all major doubts.
Paddy Kavanagh should return after a lay-off with an ankle injury.
Shiels is braced for a tough night at the office in Dublin as he plans for the trip without captain Ryan McBride (suspended) and Gareth McGlynn (hamstring).
“Bohemians are a quality team," he told www.derrycity.net. "They beat Dundalk last year and they have good weapons within their team.
“They have quality players all over their team and we have got to look at their whole team.”
