Liam Kearney may be forced to put off his Derry City debut after picking-up a knock in training. The ex-Cork City midfielder, who signed for the Candystripes over the winter break, will be given a fitness test ahead of Friday night's home match against Drogheda United (kick-off 7.45pm).

Stephen Gray is also a doubt, while Kevin Deery is ruled out with a knee injury.

“This is the real thing," said Derry City manager Stephen Kenny in advance of the opening night of the 2009 season. "On Friday we need people to really get behind the team. The players need to know that it matters. They need to walk out and know that Derry City matters and that the people are really passionate about it. Domestically we want to fight for the club and fight for the right to challenge for the league.

“Our preparations have been generally very good. The players have worked tremendously hard and shown a tremendous attitude. They have shown a lot of character and they are a bunch of decent people. Kevin Deery getting inured in pre-season isn’t ideal and Ger O’Brien and David Scullion coming in late isn’t ideal either nevertheless I think we’re optimistic ahead of the season now.”