LILIES BOOST WITH O’DONNELL INJURY

development. We played an 11 v 11 game. He played and came through it.

“I thought he would be up against it but it’s a few weeks since AZ. He’s had time to rest and he could be in the squad.”

And the Dundalk boss added: “Our preparations have been much better for this game than AZ if terms of players being able to train.”

Chris Shields will start in

Israel. The midfielder came off in Thursday’s 4-0 friendly win over Warrenpoint with a tight hamstring, but it was merely precautionary.

And striker Ciaran Kilduff and midfielder Robbie Benson last night penned contract extensions with the league champions. Meanwhile, ex-derry City and St Pat’s man Shane Mceleney has joined NASL side Ottawa Fury while Aaron Barry has signed a new one-year deal with Derry.