Sligo Rovers will face St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in a 5pm kick-off in Richmond Park.

Now third in the SSE Airtricity League table after winning five of the six games since the league resumed, the Bit O’ Red face Stephen O’Donnell’s side who are just four points behind.

In team news Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring) and Johnny Dunleavy (knee) are out.

Alex Cooper returns from a hamstring problem.

Liam Buckley said: “There wasn’t a lot in the game last Monday, it was an important win when you factor in the league table and how things are.

“It’s a hard, hard league and every game is a big ask. Looking back on Pat’s last week, the scoreline did not reflect the game, it wasn’t a 3-0 match. They’re right in the mix as as all the teams are.

“We’ve been producing a serious effort in these games. The credit goes to the players, they are putting in these shifts.”

Rovers won in Derry on 31 July, but the good form has been aided most by the home record, with four victories in succession. Now faced with more games on the road, behind closed doors, Buckley is adamant is all that counts is attitude.

“It’s about application. If the application is spot on, then you have a chance in any game. That is what has pleased me most, that the players have worked so hard and the results have come with it.

“At times we want more in terms of an overall team performance, we have shown what we can do in moments in games. We’re always looking to improve on that and it’s no different this Saturday.

“Alex Cooper comes back in this week. We can see a healthy competition within the group, all the players are contributing. It makes training all the better when we have more players available. We’re still without a few lads but the rest have recovered well from Monday. We’ve prepared as best we can and look forward to the game.”