DERRY CITY: Kenny Shiels confident ahead of tonight's league match in Bray

DERRY CITY boss, Kenny Shiels says his side can go into tonight's '˜pivotal' Premier Division clash against Bray Wanderers with confidence after getting their season up and running last Friday night. (Kick-off 7.45 p.m.)
CONFIDENT . . . 
Derry City manager Kenny Shiels.CONFIDENT . . . 
Derry City manager Kenny Shiels.
CONFIDENT . . . Derry City manager Kenny Shiels.

Shiels claims the 1-0 win over Cork City at Brandywell at the weekend will prove a huge ‘morale booster’ for his players.

However, he doesn’t expect the Co. Wicklow men to make it easy for his side at the Carlisle Grounds despite Bray’s 4-0 demolition by Galway United last Friday.

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“The Cork win was a massive morale booster going into Monday night’s game,” said Shiels.

“Monday night comes quick and we have to get ready for it. We’re looking forward to the game with a little bit more in the can now.

“People weren’t expecting us to get a result against Cork and I can understand those views but we got the result and it has to be onwards and upwards for the club now.

“The Bray match is a pivotal one for us,” he added. “It’s going to be a tough game for us, they were unfortunate in their last game.

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“They lost four players in the game because of injury and the fourth injury was in the 63rd minute, so they had 30 minutes to play with 10 men. They were key players that they lost in Conor Kenna and Dean Kelly their striker so it was difficult for them.

“They will be going in with a lot of determination and we are going in having beat Cork, so it’s important that we don’t step off psychologically.

“I saw Bray a few weeks ago against Dundalk and they gave them a game. They are a close-knit unit who are no mugs on their own pitch.”

Derry’s Conor McCormack is a doubt ahead of tonight’s match having sustained a hip injury.