It is a meeting of two improving teams as Drogheda United and St Patrick's Athletic clash at United Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

Drogheda's 3-0 cup defeat to Shamrock Rovers ended a run that had shown the Louth club were finally putting their early season woes behind them.

Alan Mathews' side are now closing in on Bray Wanderers and rivals Dundalk in the table.

Steve Williams and Alan McNally miss out through injury, but Shane Barrett is expected to continue his return to full fitness and play some part.

Jeff Kenna is keen for his side to pick up from where they left off in the league with the 3-0 win over Bohemians.

Kenna said: We've put in some decent performances in recent weeks, the more wins you get the more confidence you build up, so I'm hoping we can continue that form into the break.'

There are also signs that the injury crisis is starting to abate, as Jamie Harris, Jason Gavin and Gareth O'Connor are available again.

However, Damien Lynch (ankle) joins Darragh Ryan (hamstring) Alan Cawley (ankle), Gary Dempsey (broken leg), Mark Leech (broken leg) and Gints Freiman (knee) on the sidelines.