Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley is confident he has a squad that can "attack on all fronts" for the remainder of the season and has not given up hope of retaining the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title.
As things stand, the Hoops lie fifth in the top flight, some ten points behind leaders Derry City but with two games in hand. Next up is a date with city rivals Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Sunday, for a game that kicks off good and early at 11.30am.
Before that Bradley and co play host to PAOK in the second leg of their Europa League play-off.
The Greek outfit hold a 4-0 first-leg advantage, so it will be a tall order to reverse that deficit at Tallaght Stadium. That said, the Irish champions are already guaranteed six games in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League. Competitive football then until the 19 December, some seven weeks after the conclusion of domestic affairs.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue ahead of the PAOK clash, Bradley said he believes he has the squad that can deal with the demands both at home and on the continent
"It's obviously hard. You're playing tough games Thursday and Sunday but I'm not looking for excuses; it's about looking for solutions for what we want to do," he said.
"There is a still a bit to go in the league and I thought on Sunday (against Galway) for large parts our performance was really good. We have to stay focused, look at the challenge in front of us and let's see where it takes us.
"The squad is bigger and stronger; in the main there are not many injuries and I think we're in a position to attack on all fronts.
"That will be the aim. We start in October (Europe) but we have a lot of league games in September and that will be the focus first.
"From Derry down to sixth or seventh, it is really tight and I'd imagine that will be the case right up until the end of the season. It looks like no one team is going to run away with it."
Bradley, while accepting that overturning the deficit against PAOK will be very difficult, is nevertheless targeting a positive result on Thursday evening.
"In the first leg I thought we were very, very good. We then get a man sent off (Josh Honohan) and it becomes extremely difficult against that level of opposition. They then exposed us like you would expect them to do. Can we go and win the game now?
"Winning the tie is near on impossible but we can try and win the game and that will be the aim."
In terms of team news, the Hoops boss confirmed that midfielder Jack Byrne will start against the Greek Super League champions.
Byrne has been struggling with a back injury but is hoping to play a key role in what is left of the season and was involved in last Sunday's draw against Galway United.
"Getting 90 minutes against Galway was big for me," said the 28-year-old as he gave an update on his own fitness.
"It's been a while since I have done that and getting through that was very good for me. I don't think I'm too far away but it's only going to come with minutes and training.
"PAOK will be the third game I've started in Europe this season. I started one last year before I got injured. It's been a blessing for me that the season is prolonged. I just want to get a good base under me, but that's never easy when you miss pre-season."
Striker Johnny Kenny is recovering from injury but will not be considered for tomorrow’s game. He should be back in the squad for the Bohemians game. Aaron Greene and Darragh Nugent will both miss out through injury and defender Josh Honohan is suspend following his sending off in the first leg against PAOK.
Additional reporting: Tony O'Donoghue
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
