Ciaron Harkin is a massive part of our dressing room – Ruaidhri Higgins

It’s a clash between two in-form teams at Richmond Park on Friday night as the Candystripes take on St Patrick’s Athletic with European qualification points at stake for both sides.

The hosts have won five league games on the bounce- a run that has taken them to fourth place in the table.

City have won their last four and are undefeated in the league since May, and manager Ruaidhri Higgins says his side can’t wait to get going this weekend.

“It has the makings of a cracking game with two good sides going at it” he said.

“It’s a briliant venue; a good pitch with the crowd on top of you and we’re really looking forward to it.”

“We’re not going down there to sit in and try to hold on to something. We’ll do what we do every time we play- go at them and try to pick up three points.”

“It’ll be a very difficult game, we know that, but the players are in good form and have prepared well during the International break.”

The City boss confirmed earlier this week that midfielder Ciaron Harkin had suffered another ACL injury in training after spending the last seven months out with the same problem.

“We’re devastated for him- this club means so much to him and it’s a horrible one for him to take, having looked to be getting close to a return.”

“He’s a massive part of our dressing room and will continue to be even more so now as his rehabilitation continues”

‘He’s a real battler and will get all the help he needs to bounce back from this.”

“Other than that we had a few bumps and bruises after the Shamrock Rovers cup tie so we’ll give it until Friday morning before we make any final decisions.”

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