St Patrick’s Athletic manager Harry Kenny has added midfielder Conor Clifford to the injury list ahead of their trip up the M1 on Friday night.

The Saints will also still be without Dean Clarke and Lee Desmond for the clash with the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions Dundalk.

Kenny is hoping that they can build on their three-match unbeaten run following Tuesday's 1-0 home win against Derry City, in which a Kevin Toner goal was the difference between the sides.

"I was pleased with the result on Tuesday night against Derry," Kenny told stpatsfc.com.

"The lads worked really hard and played some good football at times. It was good to keep another clean sheet, a good goal from a set-piece from Kevin [Toner] and now we move on quickly to face Dundalk."

The hosts have been in excellent form of late after a shaky start to their title defence. Dundalk have won eight and drawn one of their last nine games, most recently beating Bohemians 2-1 at Oriel Park with a last gasp penalty scored by Pat Hoban.

The Saints are fifth in table and 14 points behind the Lilywhites, who lead Shamrock Rovers by goal difference, but they can take confidence from the last meeting between the sides.

The Inchicore club earned a 1-0 league victory at home in April, thanks to an own goal scored by Daniel Cleary, four days after losing 2-1 to them at the same venue in the EA Sports Cup

"It will be another tough game in quick succession for us," admitted Kenny.

"Dundalk have been going really well in the last few weeks, and have moved to the top of the table.  We have played them twice this season to date, winning one and losing one so we know what to expect from them and know what we have to do ourselves."