Derry City assistant manager Paddy McLaughlin
McLaughlin replaced Alan Reynolds earlier this month, leaving his role as Cliftonville FC boss.
Derry City are five points behind table toppers Bohemians with both playing 11 games in the League of Ireland to date.
Bohs taken on UCD at the UCD Bowl and are unlikely to drop points given that UCD languish at the bottom of the league with just one win and only five points from its first 11 games
Said McLaughlin: “I’ve spent a lot of time with our lads over the past ten days or so and the trip to Cork helped me to get to know the players and staff a bit better.
“I have to say that the quality in our squad has been a real eye-opener. There is so much talent in there and I honestly believe that this side is capable of beating anyone in the country on their day.
“What we do have to do better is make home advantage count and that’s exactly what we’ll be trying to do on Friday night.”
Cameron Dummigan and Mark Connolly are another week closer to a return for City but won’t make this game.
Michael Duffy and Colm Whelan are in contention to start.
McLaughlin does not believe the defeat to Shamrock Rovers will lower confidence in the visitors.
“It shows you the strength of the league that teams are capable of putting runs together” he said.
“They’re an in-form side and they’re scoring goals, so no doubt it’s a difficult game for us.”
Tim Clancy is backing the Saints to produce a big performance and admits it is an important game, facing off against a fellow leading side
“We know the importance of bouncing back after a disappointing result last weekend and we’ll be aiming for a positive result up in Derry.
“It’s another huge game for us and our focus is on going up there to win. They had a big win themselves in Cork and they’ll be looking to back that up but we’ll be heading up ourselves looking to get back to winning ways.”
Danny Rogers (thumb), Tom Grivosti (hamstring), Harry Brockbank (calf) continue to miss out through injury, Captain Joe Redmond (hamstring) will also miss the game after undergoing surgery last weekend, Tommy Lonergan is available again after suspension.
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