Twigg among four absentees for Hoops
Shamrock Rovers will be looking to move further ahead at the top of the table when they take on Dundalk at Oriel Park, kick-off 2pm.
The Hoops kick-off their second round of league fixtures at the county Louth venue, after finishing the first round with a 1-0 win against Galway United and on 20 points.
Chris Turner (calf), Gary Twigg, Stephen O’Donnell and Craig Sives (all hamstring injuries) are all sidelined from the squad through injury.
Rovers boss Michael O’Neill said: “We played very well in Galway on Friday night, and we’ll be looking to bring that form into this game.
“We might have only won 1-0 on Friday, but we created plenty of chances, and if we do that against Dundalk, hopefully we’ll get a result.
“I am expecting a tough game up there. We always get that at Dundalk. And they gave us a tough, hard-fought game at Tallaght earlier in the season. But like in that game, if we play well and keep up the pressure, hopefully we’ll get the points.”
Dundalk must plan for the visit of the champions without Greg Bolger (thigh), Stephen Maher (groin) and Eoghan Osborne (broken leg).
Shane Guthrie (blurred vision & concussion) and Dean Bennett (hamstring) are doubts, while Colin Hawkins (hamstring), Daniel Kearns (pleurisy) and Jason Byrne (Achilles) are also rated as doubtful to start.
Dundalk captain Simon Madden said: “I think it’s going to be the perfect game.
“We’re going to have to play at our best and everyone is going to have to give everything they’ve got to get a result. Shamrock Rovers are the champions, but I think it’s the best game we could have hoped for at this stage.”
