And prior to the game against basement side, Galway United, the Dubliner made it abundantly clear that if home form remains good for the rest of the season, then Derry City would have a chance of winning the league title.

"We're unbeaten at home and that's very important to us," he insisted. "The Brandywell may well be an old stadium, but it's a very special place for both our players and supporters. We don't want to give anything away when playing there and if we're to give ourselves a chance of winning the league, then home form is a priority," added the Derry boss.

However, in order to win league games, Derry must start scoring and having failed to hit the net in the league since the April 4th victory over St. Pat's at Richmond Park, Kenny refuses to panic.
"Up until a few weeks ago, we were the highest scorers in the league averaging two goals a game but I think it's also important to note that we have four of the next six league games at home."

Indeed, Kevin McHugh, who occupies a place on the all-time top scorers list has yet to score a league goal this season but Kenny was confident that the Killea man would step up to the plate.

"Kevin has been playing on the right of three forward players and while these things can happen to strikers, I've no worries in that regard and I think it will only be a matter of time before he hits the target. In fact, it would be nice to see him find the net against Galway," smiled Kenny.

"There's no better time like the present but he's a quality player and he does hold a high placing on the all-time scorers list. I think he's scored somewhere in the region of 121 goals during his career so far and is positioned just behind Jason Byrne and Glen Crowe of the strikers who are still playing."

He agreed that nothing could be taken for granted, referring back to his side's shock defeat at the Carlisle Grounds. "As we discovered in Bray, every team is capable of defeating everyone else and we can take absolutely nothing for granted. But three points would be fantastic for us.

"I would be delighted to come away with a 1-0 victory as the league table does not differentiate where points were coming from. This is all about getting three points which would leave us in a decent position," he noted.

On the team front, Clive Delaney returns to the panel following suspension while Paddy McCourt also comes back into consideration having got through a light training session yesterday morning.
However, Stephen Gray faces a late fitness test on a calf strain as does Ciaran Martyn who will be tested on a groin strain before the kick-off.

Defensively minded?

Commenting on what he expected from Galway, now managed by former Irish international defender, Jeff Kenna, Kenny was of the belief that they would be travelling to do a job.

"Jeff Kenna has played at a high level and I've no doubt that he will have Galway well organised. I think he's already said that he intends to sort them out defensively first and foremost and in John Fitzgerald and Wesley Charles, he's got two towering central defenders.

"I think they will be geared to keeping a 'clean sheet' and that's where our creativity and patience will come into play," concluded Kenny.
Aaron Callaghan is expected to retain his place at left-back tonight should Gray fail to recover while Ruaidhri Higgins, who has been selected to represent Pat Fenlon's Republic of Ireland Under-23 team, is expected to partner Barry Molloy in central midfield.

And with another game scheduled for Brandywell this Monday night, when Derry entertain Finn Harps in their opening tie in the defence of the League of Ireland League Cup, Derry face a busy schedule this weekend.
That said, Kenny will be delighted to give games to Mark McChrystal and Kevin Deery on Monday night should both get through rigorous training sessions this weekend.

For tonight's game, Kenny is expected to select from - Gerard Doherty, Eddie McCallion, Clive Delaney, Peter Hutton, Aaron Callaghan, Stephen Gray, Paddy McCourt, Gareth McGlynn, Ciaran Martyn Barry Molloy, Ruaidhri Higgins, Owen Morrison, Niall McGinn, Kevin McHugh, Mark Farren and Conor Sammon.