DERRY CITY: Injury crisis for Shiels ahead of Shamrock Rovers clash

Derry's Aaron McEneff takes on Killian Brennan during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division at Brandywell Stadium in April. (Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE)

(Kick-off: 8.00pm).

With both Ryan McBride and Aaron Barry already out for a number of weeks, new signing Maximilian Karner injured his groin on his debut at Bray Wanderers on Saturday night. That news leaves Kenny Shiels with only Patrick McClean, Cristian Castells and Ben Doherty as defensive cover for what is a crucial encounter.

On the plus side, winger Lukas Schubert is likely to return after missing Saturday’s draw through illness.

City, who currently sit in the automatic Europa League qualification spot, are just two points ahead of Rovers but the Dubliners have played two games less.

And City midfielder Conor McCormack, who will be facing his old club this evening, doesn’t need reminding about what is at stake.

“Shamrock Rovers games are always big games, especially at Tallaght,” explained McCormack.

“We beat them comfortably at home already this season so, hopefully, we can go there and come away with a positive result. Everyone wants to play in all these big games, that’s what it’s about and hopefully we can win.”

With the carrot of European football so close, the one time Manchester United starlet knows how big tonight’s game is.

“Shamrock Rovers expect to win every game. I know that having played there for three years but we’ll try and do everything we can to come away with the victory,” he added.

“Our last defeat in the league was, I think, seven games ago against Dundalk and we have kept quite a few clean-sheets during the run. Unfortunately we couldn’t keep one at Bray but the confidence is high and hopefully we can keep another clean-sheet and come away with the win.”