The upcoming double round of games will pit the title challengers against each other, beginning with tonight’s televised clash on RTE2 of Derry City and champions Shamrock Rovers (kick off 7.45 pm).
The pressure is on Derry this weekend to get a home win and secure three much needed points.
With several stars to return in the coming weeks, this is the time Derry must capitalise on their home patch at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Ruaidhri Higgins believes the games between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers are always entertaining due to the desire of both sides to take all three points.
Draws in the game have often suited the Hoops as this venue, including the one which went a long way to sealing the title last year,
Stephen Bradley wants to go on better on this occasion: “Obviously Derry are a good side and we know that. They’ve got good players and we know Derry away is always a difficult game but I think we’re in a good place.
“We’ll go up there with every intention to respect Derry but go try and win the game and that’s what we’ll try to do. It’s usually a good game, both teams are decent who go for it, so it has the makings of a good game and we’re really looking forward to it.
“The pitch definitely plays on your mind if you have players carrying knocks or players it doesn’t suit. But we like the pitch, it’s big and we’d like it to be real grass, but it’s big and the spaces suit us. We like playing there and today will be no different.”
Injuries have been a problem for Bradley, with several players still waiting for a finalised return date.
Bradley explained ahead of this game with Derry and Shels on Monday: “Nobody will be rushed for this weekend. Rory Gaffney and Seán Kavanagh trained on Thursday day, Johnny Kenny came on last week. We had a setback with Lee Grace, he will see a specialist in London.
“We’ve had good news on Jack Byrne’s scans, he had some treatment yesterday and will do some running today, hopefully all going well he’ll be back on the pitch next week in terms of back running and ramping it up. Hopefully, in the next week or two we can push him back in with the group.
“Aaron McEneff is similar, good news on his scans, he’s nearly there and hopefully the next two weeks he’ll be back around the squad.
“Neil Farrugia is getting there, he’s been back mixing with the group and we’re just waiting on the all clear from the surgeon.
“Seán Hoare will be next week. When you name off all the players, there’s quite a few and all are obviously good players, but we’re getting there.
“I’d be hopeful come the end of the month we should have most or all back all going well.”
Patrick Hoban, Sadou Diallo, Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan have been on the sidelines for Derry, with Higgins hoping one will return for this game.
He spoke yesterday of a belief Derry can find consistency in the bid to challenge.
The Candystripes came close to winning in Tallaght and they had a similar game last week in Drogheda. Both matches finished 2-2.
The Derry boss said: “It’s important to be ruthless in front of goal when we’re dominating games, but it’s not just about goals.
“We need to be more ruthless defensively too, from front to back, and be able to manage games better when we have to.”
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