Preview: Drogheda United v Dundalk FC

Dundalk FC return to action on Friday night when they make the short trip to Sullivan & Lambe Park to take on local rivals Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

Kick-off is at 8pm, with the Lilywhites looking to bring an end to respond positively following last week's 2-1 defeat to Galway United. Despite their recent difficult run, Dundalk remain fourth in the table with eight league games remaining, while Drogheda are currently in 9^th place. The match is live on Virgin Media Two.

Ciarán Kilduff Comments

“We are frustrated over our recent run. But they’re a great group, and they have given so much this season. They know where they are in the league. They know how the season has gone so far for us. It’s just a huge element of frustration over recent results.

"We're not in a good run. So they should smell blood, but we'll smell blood too. We owe them one as well. They're the only team in the whole division that we haven't beaten. So we'll have to go up there and do everything.

"We'll have to reassess and pick a team and a bench that are going to come in and help us win that game. It's been a huge transition mid-season with a lot of players leaving and arriving. But we know what we are capable of and we will continue to back ourselves to win these matches.

Team News

• Tyreke Wilson is unlikely to return in time for Friday's game but is progressing well and could be back soon.

• JR Wilson is also expected to miss the trip to Drogheda, although his recovery is moving in the right direction.

• Harvey Warren has returned to training and is back in contention.

• Danny Mullen faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in the FAI Cup victory over Castlebar Celtic.

• Keith Buckley is carrying a hamstring issue and will be assessed ahead of kick-off.