Pat's duo face fitness tests ahead of quarter-final replay
St Patrick’s Athletic will give top scorer Christy Fagan and midfielder John Russell late fitness tests just before their FAI Ford Cup Quarter-Final replay against Drogheda United at Hunky Dorys Park.
The Saints will be without the injured duo Mark Rossiter and recent recruit Hernany Macedo, but they have been boosted by the returns of Anto Flood and Dean Kelly.
The pair have resumed full training and could come into contention for a place in the matchday squad, while Stephen O’Flynn saw his return to first team duty in the final stages of last Friday’s drawn game.
St Pat's boss, Liam Buckley, was cautious after his side spurned their chance to progress from their home game on Friday.
Buckley said: "Drogheda are a tough team to play on any day, but playing them out in United Park makes things a bit more difficult.
"In spite of that though, it’s a chance to progress to the semi-finals and the players are looking forward to it. One side will finish on top one way or the other and we just hope that it is ourselves that finish on the right side of the result."
Drogheda United will select from the same squad which was on duty for last Friday's tie although Paul Crowley is rated 50-50 after picking up a knock in Richmond Park.
Drogheda United manager, Mick Cooke, is looking for his side to improve on their performance after escaping with a draw four days ago.
Cooke said: "I thought St Pats were certainly the better team in the second half and they had their chances and we were lucky to come away with a nil-nil draw.
"But we'll be confident at home and I'm hoping that Pats have missed their chance now and we can capitalise on this replay and make the semi-final. It's still good to be in the cup and the atmosphere tonight will be fantastic and hopefully we can give the fans more reason to celebrate."
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