League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Sligo Rovers

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United welcome Liam Buckley’s Sligo Rovers to Head in the Game Park on Friday evening (kick-off is at 5.45pm).

The Boynesiders come into the game off the back of a 2-1 derby defeat away to Dundalk.

“It was a pleasing performance, maybe if we can get a bit of luck now, and decisions going our way we might start picking up points against them lads,” Drogs boss Tim Clancy told his club’s media team.

“It certainly gives us confidence going into the Sligo game, it’s another very good team coming to town.

“It’s a difficult one. We had the three games (in nine days). Now we have the two games in quick succession here.

“We’ve used 22 players overall so far this season, just the three young ladshave been training with us recently (who haven’t played) so we’ve plenty of legs, plenty of fitness in the team.

“That’s stood us in good stead so far and we’ll hope to continue that over the busy schedule going into May.”

In terms of team news, Conor Kane returns from injury but Jake Hyland, Dinny Corcoran and Mark Hughes are all expected to miss out via injury.

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers will be looking to get back to winning ways on Friday evening as they visit Drogheda United at Head in the Game Park.

The Bit O’Red fell to their first defeat of the season last time out at home to Derry, and manager Liam Buckley is hoping that his side can respond to their setback.

“It was a disappointing game overall last week. There was nothing in it, with very little created from either side,” he told his club’s media team.

“A penalty won in it and we’re looking forward to moving on from that and trying to get a better performance. I’ve no doubt there will be some hurting from losing that game.

“It is important to move on and try to respond. Teams will lose games in this league; it is the nature. I know Shamrock Rovers are on a long unbeaten run, but you can be sure results will go all sorts of ways over the course of the season. We have the ability in the group here to win games.

“Drogheda have had a fantastic opening to the year. We know about their shape, how they play and all of that. We need to be a lot better than last week, we’re under no illusions on what is needed here.

“It is a busy time with three games in a week again but we’re just looking forward to the opportunity to move on from that week and give a good account of ourselves.”

David Cawley is rated as a doubt for the visitors while Danny Kane remains out.

Referee: Rob Harvey.

MATCH STATS

Sligo Rovers defeat against Derry City last weekend was their first of the season – falling to a 1-0 defeat.

Drogheda United have picked up four points from a possible nine so far this season at Head in the Game Park.

BETTING

Drogheda United 14/5; Draw 2/1; Sligo Rovers EVS.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1 - 2 Sligo Rovers

Drogheda United

Injured: Mark Hughes, Dinny Corcoran.

Doubtful: Jake Hyland.

Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Danny Kane.

Doubtful: David Cawley.

Suspended: None.