Dundalk v Longford

Dundalk will be hoping to make an immediate recovery from Monday's shock EA Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Galway United.

The Lillywhites were the overwhelming favourites to progress to the final but were edged out by Galway, losing 4-2 on penalties.

Last time out in the league, Dundalk kept their title bid right on track as they were 1-0 winners away to Bray Wanderers last Friday. Ciaran Kilduff got his Dundalk career off to the perfect start as he netted a debut goal to seal all three points and manager Stephen Kenny wants a repeat of that performance.

“We had a very good win away to Bray last week. It was an important three points for us and I was happy with the level of performance. We played some good football and we are hoping to take that into the game against Longford Town this weekend," he said.

"We have had two tough games against Longford already this season. They have been difficult opponents but we are playing with confidence at the moment and we want to continue our good form on Friday."

Kenny will have a full squad to choose from with Kilduff returning to contention after being cup tied for Monday’s semi-final, Chris Shields returns to the squad after serving his one match suspension and new signing Sean Maguire is available for selection for the first time as he has received his international clearance.

Longford team news unavailable.

Galway v Derry

Galway United return to league action at Eamonn Deacy Park when the Tribesmen host Derry City in a game that could move the hosts into the top half of the table with a win.

United will go into the game on a high after booking their place in the final of the EA Sports Cup with a victory over Dundalk on Monday.

"People say Dundalk made a few changes, but they've got such strength in depth, they can afford to, we couldn't. I looked at their starting eleven and a lot of their players would have a good chance of starting in our team," manager Tommy Dunne said.

"Against Derry City, it doesn't get much bigger for us. This is the first league game in the last phase of matches and you're up against a team that are in a similar position to ourselves. Albeit, Derry City are a strong group of players and they're a big club with a lot of tradition. It's a big match and that's being conservative about it.

"We have to maintain the gap between ourselves and the Play-off spot, there's a lot of big games coming up, we've got Derry City at home, Sligo at home, Longford at home. We need to try and at least get the same number of points as we did in the last phase, if not more."

Galway United's injury woes continue and the Tribesmen will be without Andy O'Connell (foot), Marc Ludden (ankle), Conor Barry (thigh) and Ryan Connolly (ankle) for the visit of Derry.

Derry could leapfrog Galway with a win that would put further daylight between them and the relegation zone.

The Candystripes come into the game on the back of a 3-0 victory over Longford and manager Peter Hutton wants to build on that win.

"That result gave us a lift and it is all about getting momentum now," he told the BBC.

"The players will have gained in confidence and we want to build on it by getting a couple of positive results. If we do not get anything from out trip to Galway it will take away from last week's win."

Cillian Morrison looks set to miss out for the Candystripes as he has been suffering from a virus and been advised to rest. Defenders Dean Jarvis and Aaron Barry look set to feature after shaking off knocks.

Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Atheltic

Shamrock Rovers welcome the Saints to Tallaght for the second time in a week after the Inchicore side came out on top in Monday's EA Sports Cup semi-final, winning on penalties.

In the league Rovers are in a rich vein of form, having won five or their six last games and manager Pat Fenlon is eager to extend that winning run.

"We have to start beating the teams above us, it's as simple as that. The four games with Pat's this season have all been close, there's not a lot between the two sides. We expect a tough game on Friday, we will be hoping to make home advantage count," he told shamrockrovers.ie

"The support from the stands has been brilliant this season and we want to give the fans something else to shout about tomorrow night."

There are no suspensions and no new injury concerns however Rovers remain without the injured midfield trio of Sean O'Connor, Keith Fahey, Stephen McPhail, while Damien Duff edges closer to fitness.

On the back of Monday's victory, manager Liam Buckley expressed his happiness that the Saints had achieved their goal of reaching the EA Sports Cup final, but warned that Friday's repeat game would be just as challenging for his side.

"We were delighted to get through the tie on Monday. I thought we played well in the first half and dealt with the conditions reasonably well. We kept plugging away to break the deadlock and were unlucky in a few instances, but overall to get the win in the end on penalties, we're delighted and now we look forward to a final against Galway in a few weeks.

"In relation to Friday though, we know it'll again be difficult. Both teams should be fine in relation to fitness as the legs will have recovered in time for the game. It's a big game in relation to where the teams are in the league table so it should make for a good game of football."

Buckley confirmed that 2014 top-scorer Christy Fagan remains on the sidelines with a knee injury, while Shane McEleney misses out as he serves a one-match suspension he picked while playing for his former side, Derry City.

Meanwhile Sean Hoare faces a late fitness test as he nears a return to first team action following a hamstring problem.