Doubt over Dundalk striker

Dundalk manager John Gill has a doubt over 20-goal hotshot Philip Hughes for tonight’s big top-of-the-table clash with Galway United at Terryland Park.

Hughes is ten clear of the next most prolific marksman in the First Division – Galway’s on-loan forward Conor Gethins – and has plundered two goals in each of his last three games. The former St Patrick’s Athletic, Kildare County and Kilkenny City ace has scored the winning goal in two of the three previous meetings between the sides this season, both 1-0 triumphs at Oriel Park. However, he is rated doubtful for this evening’s big game with a knee injury and Lilywhites followers will be keeping their fingers crossed that he is passed fit to play. Striker Trevor Vaughan is on stand-by to replace him after recovering from an injury of his own, but captain Aidan Lynch remains sidelined by a calf problem.