Dundalk head coach Vinny Perth says his injury-ravaged side must target three points against Bohemians tonight as they desperately try to avoid their torrid league campaign descending into complete disaster.
The Lilywhites are second from bottom in the table, 17 points clears of Longford Town but a point behind Waterford, albeit with a game in hand.
Although they're in no danger of automatic relegation, a promotion/relegation play-off clash with one of the First Division sides is a very real prospect heading into the home straight of the league campaign.
"It's a huge night for us and it's a big three points on offer," Perth said.
"We have to target those three points. It's going to be difficult against Bohemians but we have to go again.
"We are missing Will Patching through suspension which is typical of where we are at the minute. Whenever we seem to get one back, we still lose one and I probably won’t know the team until Monday."
Dundalk will be looking to win back-to-back league matches for just the third time this season having beaten Sligo Rovers 4-1 last Friday night.
Patching is suspended and Michael Duffy is a doubt, while Patrick McEleney, David McMillan, David McMillan, Brian Gartland and Wilfried Zahibo all miss out with injuries.
Bohs meanwhile still have aspirations of breaking into the top three. They're seven points behind third-placed Sligo with two games in hand.
Keith Long's have picked just one point from their last two league games. A 3-3 draw with Derry City at Dalymount Park last Monday was followed by a 2-1 defeat at the same venue against Finn Harps on Friday night.
Victory here would deepen Dundalk's woes but also give the Gypsies a real shot in the arm in the race for Europe.
