Sligo Rovers will hope for a first win in five this Friday as they travel to the north east to take on Drogheda United at Weavers Park. 

The Bit O’Red will be without defensive duo John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker who remain sidelined for a number of weeks, while winger Simon Power will miss out having sustained a knock in last Monday’s stalemate with Galway United.

Rovers have already recorded victory over Drogheda this season when they beat Kevin Doherty’s charges by three goals to one back in mid-March. A quick-fire Max Mata double was followed by a sensational back-heel finish from Wilson Waweru late on, after Andrew Quinn had halved the deficit. 

Speaking ahead of the game, manager John Russell says he is satisfied with the way his team are gelling as the weeks go by. 

“I was pleased with how we played even though we only managed two draws last weekend”, he said.  

“You can see the players are starting to make good connections on the pitch which was evident in the build up to Fabrice Hartmann’s wonder strike against Dundalk. 

“I felt we deserved a penalty in each of the games which was frustrating. I’m hoping these decisions balance themselves out over the course of the season. 

“The players have recovered over the last few days and are ready to go again. As always, we must focus on ourselves and play to our strengths.”

Kick-off at Weavers Park is 7.45pm.