Shamrock Rovers prepare for crunch tie

Shamrock Rovers need to beat Bray Wanderers at Tallaght Stadium tonight to stay in touch with Bohemians at the top of the Premier Division table (kick-off 7pm).

Shamrock Rovers need to beat Bray Wanderers at Tallaght Stadium tonight to stay in touch with Bohemians at the top of the Premier Division table (kick-off 7pm).

Pat Sullivan and Gary Twigg return to the Rovers squad, although Craig Sives is suspended after getting sent off midweek against Sporting Fingal.

Paddy Kavanagh (hip) and Darragh Maguire (calf) are both doubtful, while Ian Bermingham (ankle) remains sidelined.

“Pat’s back in after being cup-tied for the games against Sporting Fingal,” says Hoops boss Michael O’Neill. “Gary Twigg is also available again, while Ian is definitely out.

“Paddy and Darragh have a 50-50 chance of being fit enough to be included in the squad for the Bray game, but otherwise everyone else is fit, well and available.

“We know that there aren’t any easy games in this league, and Bray will be no different – especially as we’re now in the last quarter of the season and they’re fighting for their lives.

“We’ve played them three times and each game was highly competitive and evenly matched. They’ll be buoyed by being in the FAI Ford Cup semi-finals. It’s going to be a very tough game.”

Midfielders Dave Mulcahy and Chris Shields are both suspended for Bray, while Paul Byrne remains out injured.

There is a doubt about captain Derek Pender who picked up a groin injury in the Cup replay on Tuesday night.

Otherwise, boss Eddie Gormley has a full squad to pick from.

Gormley said: "Tuesday night's result was a good one for us. The result was everything.

“We are delighted to have qualified for the semi-finals.

"We will now put that to bed and focus on our league position and try to get ourselves out of it, and Saturday will be difficult.

“Rovers will be keen to make up for their Cup defeat and push on as they challenge for the league title, but we will give it our best shot and hope we can get a result.”

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