Champions League qualifying and FAIreland Cup duties has taken up all their time since, but Shels can go top again with a victory tonight against the division’s bottom club.

Shels have two games in hand on Drogheda ahead of kick-off but they face a much-changed Vikings team from the one they last faced at the beginning of June and beat 3-0 away.

Roddy Collins has replaced John Gill as manager, 15 players have been transfer-listed, many of whom found other clubs before the transfer deadline last week.

In their place has come a mixed bag of footballers ranging from eircom League veterans to former Premiership stars like Efan Ekoku and Carlton Palmer.

One of the new boys, former Shamrock Rovers midfielder Marc Kenny, is suspended while deadline day signing Wojciek Korzan of Poland has not yet received his international clearance.

For their part, Shels will be without striker Glen Fitzpatrick, who has a groin injury while new signing Juan Sara is not match fit.

But Fenlon can recall European goal-scoring hero Dave Rogers back to action after the defender missed the defeat at Waterford last weekend, and Jamie Harris and Alan Moore have both been passed fit to play despite carrying injuries earlier in the week.