Trio return as Higgins drops out

Having lost last time out at home to league leaders Sligo Rovers, Declan Devine’s men will be in search of some much needed points if they are to sustain any chance of qualifying for Europe next season.

The Candy Stripes will go into this match looking to make amends for the defeat by the louth side in the Brandywell earlier in the season. That 2-1 defeat in April, was City’s first home lost since the 4th of March 2011 when they were beaten by Sligo Rovers.

Once again Derry will have to plan without a number senior members of his squad through injury and suspension. However they do welcome back Simon Madden and Stephen McLaughlin who missed last weeks game through suspension and Mark Farren may be in with a chance of playing after he made a return to training during the week.

Boss Declan Devine expecting a tough encounter at Oriel Park this evening.

“There is no doubt that this will be a difficult task for us on Friday night. Dundalk are coming into the fixture off a good result last week at home to Shamrock Rovers, and their players will be looking to impress in every game until a new manager has been appointed.

“But from our own point of view we need to build on last weeks performance and once again give a good account of ourselves. We will have some players back for this game so we should be in a better position to go and compete.”

The Brandywell men will be without Stewart Greacen (ankle), Kevin Deery (knee) and Rory Patterson (hamstring) through injury while Ruaidhri Higgins will miss out through suspension.