Cooke said: “I thought our performance against Dundalk was the best of season. The goals we conceded were just schoolboy errors and something that if we can cut out of our game then we will hopefully put a few more points on the board.

“Everyone likes going to Richmond, there is always a good atmosphere there and we will be hopeful of getting a point, if not all three.”

Saints must plan without captain Conor Kenna, while Neil Harney (calf) and James O’Brien (ankle) also miss out.

Dave Mulcahy (hamstring) and Anthony Murphy (ankle) return from injury.

St Pat’s boss Pete Mahon said: “Playing at home, the onus is on us to win. We are probably slight favourites going into the game. It is the games which we are expected to win which causes us problems.

“We need to learn to deal with this pressure, as how we handle this will determine where we will finish in the league.”