Sligo Rovers go in search of a fifth league win on the bounce this Sunday as the Bit O’Red travel to Dublin to take on St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park, kick-off 6pm. 

Initially due to take place on Friday evening, this game was moved back by two days to accommodate Pat’s Europa Conference League campaign. Rovers will be looking for a second win over the Saints this season after May’s one goal defeat of the Inchicore side at the Showgrounds, Ellis Chapman with Sligo’s goal that evening. 

Pat’s did beat Rovers a month previous in Dublin. A Luke Turner brace followed by a strike from Mason Melia handed John Daly’s men all the points. 

Stephen Kenny is now in charge of Pat’s and the former Republic of Ireland manager will lead his side out against Rovers for the first time this weekend. 

Rovers are boosted by the return of both Stephen Mallon and JR Wilson from suspension, while Kailin Barlow returns after he missed the win over Galway United with a knock picked up in the recent mid-season friendly with Everton. 

Stefan Radosavljevic will not make the game after he picked up an injury during the week. John Mahon and Conor Reynolds also continue their recoveries. 

As above, Rovers are looking to make it five league wins in a row after victories over Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, Bohs and Galway United saw the Bit O’Red shoot up the league table in recent weeks. 

That win over Galway came courtesy of goals from the in-form Wilson Waweru and recent signing Luke Pearce who found the net on his league debut. Manager John Russell says he wants both players to work hard in their efforts to make the starting eleven.

“Wilson has been in great form in front of goal recently”, Russell says. “Luke has just come in but already has a league goal and scored one against Everton and has hit the ground running. You want to be in that situation, with players being in-form all over the pitch. That breeds positive competition and you want to be able to bring one goal scorer on for another, should it be required.”

Although they are in the middle of a European campaign, Russell expects no rustiness from Pat’s. He is also hoping for a big crowd in the away end on Sunday. 

“We are not expecting them to take the eye of the ball at all. Their next game is against Sligo Rovers and that will be their focus until Sunday night. Pat’s have a deep squad, full of talent and are extremely dangerous as any Stephen Kenny side would be. 

“They have the potential to score all types of goals and can score from any position. They have already shown us this year that they will punish you if you give them a chance. 

“We’ve been in excellent form recently and I think we are surprising a few people but that work has to continue. I said it before the Galway game, but our form is irrelevant once 6pm Sunday comes. We’re really looking forward to this one and I know our supporters are too. I would expect them to travel well, as they always do.”