TEAM NEWS
Chris Mulhall (cartilage), Darren Stapleton (thigh) and John Martin (hip) remain sidelined and have been joined by Robbie Creevy and Pat Flynn. Danny O'Connor faces a late fitness test.
Says Hoops' boss Pat Scully: "Robbie hurt his ankle in Sligo on Saturday and Pat Flynn - who's suspended on Friday -- did the same against Bray on Monday, so they're both out for 2-3 weeks.
"Danny O'Connor also hurt his ankle, and he's doubtful for the Derry game. We'll see how it goes with him. He has a chance of making it - if not this week, he should be back for Finn Harps."
SCULLY SAYS ….
Pat Scully's thoughts ahead of Friday
Rovers' recent performances
"It's just not going for us, and it was of course disappointing to lose those two games over the weekend. On the positive side, Monday's performance in Bray was better than Sligo on Saturday.
"It's a really bad time for us - but we have good players, very good players. We're going through a bad patch and we are determined to see it out. We accept the challenge and relish it.
"It will come good and we will come out the other end - then we can reflect positively on these days. We've never experienced anything like this before and when it's over we will be stronger."
Friday's game against Derry City
"Like ourselves, they've been going through a bit of a dip in form over the last few weeks. It should be a good game as both sides will be looking for a better performance and a positive result.
"Although I don't know him, I like Stephen Kenny and respect what he's achieved. He started out at Longford Town and did really well there. He's gone on and repeated that success at other clubs.
"I felt he should've been given more time at Dunfermline as football in Britain is a different environment to Ireland. He's brought in some fine players since returning to Derry so we know what to expect.
"As for ourselves, we'll keep going with the aim of improving our performance levels and we're determined to achieve better results. As individuals and as a unit we'll be aiming high on Friday."
The Form
LAST FIVE GAMES: L L L D L
Results so far this season:
Drogheda U 0 Rovers 1
Rovers 1 Cork C 1
Rovers 2 Bray W 0
Kildare 0 Rovers 3 (League Cup)
Galway 0 Rovers 2
Rovers 0 Bohemians 1
Cobh R 2 Rovers 0
Rovers 1 UCD 1
Rovers 0 St Pat's 1
Sligo R 3 Rovers 2
Bray W 1 Rovers 0 (League Cup)
Premier Placing
P W D L F F GD Pos
Rovers 9 3 2 4 9 9 +0 8th
League Scorers
2 - Murphy, Rice, Baker
1 - Amond, Doyle, Maguire
All Competition
3 - Rice
2 - Doyle, Murphy, Baker
1 - Creevy, Amond
League Clean Sheets
3 out of 9
All Competitions
4 out of 11
Next Up
AWAY v Finn Harps, May 16
HOME v Drogheda United, May 23
For further information about Shamrock Rovers, please call
John Byrne at 087 768 1408 or email byrnejoh@gmail.com