DERRY City face Bray Wanderers tomorrow at the Brandywell (KO 5pm) in their penultimate game before the mid-season break.
The Candy Stripes are in third position in the league on 24 points – ten points behind leaders table toppers Dundalk.
Boss Kenny Shiels is expecting a tough encounter against the Seagulls this evening.
He feels they have improved since the last time they met in March, when goals from Aaron Barry and Rory Patterson (2) ensured City claimed all three points at the Carlisle Grounds.
“I watched Bray a lot and they have gradually improved as the season has progressed and they are much better when we played them earlier in the season, so we are expecting a really difficult game,” said the Derry boss.
“The have a lot of good players all over the pitch such as Conor Kenna and Alan McNally are two strong centre-backs, Ryan Brennan in the middle of the park and Karl Moore is a tricky little winger and Dylan Connolly on the other side; Andrew Lewis and Robbie Creevy are also attacked minded players and they are all good players.
“I have watched them and there’s no easy games in the league and this one won’t be easy, so we got to make sure that everybody is prepared and mentally prepared to go and work as hard as we can to get another result.”
Trio Ryan McBride, Barry McNamee and Rory Patterson are injury concerns, while Harry Monaghan and Gareth McGlynn are both missing.
Tonight’s game is live on BBC Radio Foyle & Drive 105.3FM ‘Match Night Live’ from 4.45 pm.