CITY WARY OF FLYING SEAGULLS

PETER HUTTON knows new Bray Wanderers manager Mick Cooke will make sure his Derry City outfit endure a tough test at the Carlisle Grounds today (5.45pm). Back-to-back league wins helped shuttle the Seagulls above City into ninth spot and Candystripes boss Hutton believes the recruitment of veteran Cooke as the club’s third manager this season will help the side overcome a sustained period of offfield turbulence. ‘As he did at his previous clubs, Mick will have his new team well organised and difficult to break down,’ Hutton said of the former Monaghan United, Drogheda United and Athlone Town supremo who will be in the stand today due to a carryover suspension. ‘I’m sure Bray’s players will be out to impress the new manager. Their captain David Cassidy worked well with Mick at Drogheda. David didn’t play in last week’s win over Limerick because he was acting as player/manager. I went down to watch that game, so I’m

certain Bray will be even stronger with him back in the team. ‘We’ve got to concentrate on our own game. Aaron Barry is our only player missing due to suspension, so once the team play as they can, we’ll be fine.’ Elsewhere, Gavin Dykes and Joseph Ndo lead Sligo Rovers for the first time since taking over as permanent comanagers when they host Longford Town (7.45pm). New signing from Bohemians, Dean Kelly, is available to Tony Cousins while Sligo have local lad Kevin Devaney fit again. But Jeff Henderson (foot), Stephen Folan (hamstring), John Russell (hip) and Ruairi Keating (hamstring) are all highly doubtful. Galway United’s Sam Oji returns to former club Limerick intent on inflicting more damage of the division’s basement side at Markets Field (6.30pm). Meanwhile, Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town face Shelbourne in a friendly at Tolka Park (3pm).