Rory Patterson: returns after suspension.
Derry City host Drogheda United in an SSE Airtricity Premiership clash at Brandywell tonight with the visitors smarting following their 7-0 hammering by Co Louth neighbours Dundalk earlier this week.
Tonight’s game will be Peter Hutton’s first home game in charge of the Candystripes since succeeding Roddy Collins two weeks ago.
“Pizza,” as he is affectionately known, will be without a number of players as he attempts serve up a much-needed win for the Brandywell faithful – Derry have only won two of their 13 league games since the start of the season.
Defender Cliff Byrne misses out through suspension after picking up his fourth yellow card in last week’s 2-0 reversal in Cork.
Injuries account for the absence of David Elebert (calf), Mark Stewart (calf), Cormac Burke (ankle) and Mark Timlin (ankle).
However, Hutton will be boosted by the return of striker Rory Patterson, the league’s top goalscorer last season, who missed last week’s defeat by Cork through suspension after his straight red card against Bohemians two weeks earlier.
The sides drew 1-1 when they met at United Park earlier in the season.
Like City, Robbie Horgan’s side have been disappointing so far, having won four of their 13 games played so far.
However, they have scored 17 goals compared to Derry’s eight.
On the other hand, they have conceded 28 while the City rearguard has been breached 13 times.
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