Dundalk aim to stop slide

Dundalk aim to stop slide

Dundalk host second-placed Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park this evening aiming to bounce back from their two worst results of the season, which saw them lose 3-1 at Finn Harps and 2-0 at home to Dublin City last weekend.

The Lilywhites have slipped to tenth place in the First Division table and, having won just once in their 13 league games to date, are quickly losing touch with the midtable contingent, never mind the play-off spots that were their target at the season’s outset.

Under-fire manager Trevor Anderson will be without experienced midfield duo Shane Reddish and Paul Byrne this evening with calf and hamstring injuries respectively.

Simon Kelly returns from suspension, however, and should go straight into the side against the Seagulls.

A win would see Bray move to the top of the table as leaders Finn Harps do not play until tomorrow night.

Pat Devlin is without Paul Forsyth (groin) and Kieran "Tarzan" O’Brien (illness), although defender and captain Jody Lynch will reach a milestone of 200 appearances with the club when he takes his place tonight.

Forsyth was taken off at half-time in last weekend’s victory over Limerick, and veteran Maurice Farrell may stand in tonight.

After starting with John Flood and Stephen Fox together in attack last weekend, manager Devlin chose to relocate Eamon Zayed from the right wing to his habitual striking role to good effect in the second half, and the Irish under-20 international could start there alongside Flood this evening.

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