Robbie Benson, Sean Gannon, Patrick McEleney and Ciaran Kilduff are all injury doubts for Dundalk ahead of tonight’s Airtricity League encounter with Cork City at Oriel Park.

Kevin O’Connor, Alan Bennett and Steven Beattie are expected to be available for the Leesiders even though they are carrying knocks.

Dundalk are one point ahead of second placed Cork City going into the match having lost 3-0 at home to Sligo Rovers on Saturday.

Former Ireland and Shamrock Rovers defender Paddy Mulligan says that defeat won’t affect the preparations of manager Stephen Kenny too much.

“One game should not wreck their season,” he said. “They’ve had a blip but this season has been exceptional for them, with their exploits in Europe as well.

“He (Kenny) has to stay calm and if he’s stays calm the players will stay calm. He’ll talk to them and go through things and there is nothing much wrong with Dundalk that can’t be put right.”

Former Cork City and Ireland midfielder Joe Gamble thinks the game could come down the form of Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan and Cork’s Sean Maguire.

“Whoever has the best game between the two of those could potentially drag their team through.

He added: “Dundalk have other players too in fairness but the key for Cork City tonight is if Maguire can have that performance, a nine out of ten.

“Because he’s on fire. Get him a one-v-one situation and he has the beating of the Dundalk defence.”