Shelbourne boss Damien Duff has told Shels fans “don’t underestimate how important the home support is” as the Reds welcome Dundalk to Tolka Park on Friday night.
Shelbourne welcomes back Sean Boyd from suspension and Adam Thomas returns from injury for matchday selection consideration.
Shels drew 1-1 with Dundalk last time out in Tolka Park but lost out in a tight encounter with the Lilywhites at Oriel most recently.
“It’s a long time since we’ve played at home with a over a month since our last game with UCD so it will be nice to be back on home turf with a passionate home fan base,” Duff told shelbournefc.ie.
“Having Sean back is a big plus as he’s a big presence on and off the field so hopefully he continues his good form but also stops getting booked so much,” he added.
Duff was full of praise for two young starlets in training and the match day squad last week as Lewis Temple and Gavin Hodgins have impressed in training this week.
Duff said young central defender Temple “played with the cigar out he was that comfortable” in a in-house friendly match recently.
The former Republic of Ireland winger said Hodgins was “unfortunate” to have hit the crossbar last week in Dalymount but hailed the young striker as “one for the future.”
“I want more and more out of the players every day and they know that but they’re in great shape as one of the fittest teams in the league so we’re ready to go for Friday,” Duff said.
“They’re in good form and whether they’ll mount a title challenge now I guess we’ll see but we’re looking forward to being at home and with the 12th man again,” he added.
Shels have no further suspensions ahead of tomorrow’s game while Daniel Hawkins continues to recover from injury.
