Dundalk will be going in search of their first goal of 2008 this Tuesday night when they welcome Premier Division club Saint Patrick’s Athletic to Oriel Park. The Lilywhites were extremely impressive in their opening warm-up match against League champions Drogheda United last week, although their failure to fire in front of goal ultimately cost them as they lost out in a penalty shootout.
 
In their second of six tough tests during pre-season, John Gill’s men will battle with Johnny McDonnell’s Saints, who already have two warm-up games under their belt. The Inchicore side travelled to the Stadium of Light on the last day of January for a meeting with the Sunderland Reserves, and put in a good display to draw 1-1, before they earned their first win of the new year eight days later with a 1-0 victory over Irish League side, Glenavon, at Mourneview Park.
 
With both clubs facing another fixture at the end of the week, Dundalk entertaining Bray Wanderers on Saint Valentine’s Night and Pat’s travelling to Wexford Youths 24 hours later, Tuesday’s fixture is likely to see a number of substitutes used.
 
Dundalk Team News: John Gill has confirmed that there will be a number changes made to the team which lined-out against Drogheda last week, with alterations likely to be made in every department. Centre-half Ben Whelehan, who has been out with a serious knee injury since last May, again misses out, although he is now close to a return to full fitness, while central midfielder Paul Crowley must also wait on his first appearance of 2008 as he battles to overcome his own injury problems. Elsewhere, Dundalk should have a fully fit 18-man squad to choose from.