With a week off competitive football, due to a disappointingly early exit from the FAI Cup, Bohemians have Jake Kelly (hamstring) fully fit but Anto Murphy (abdomen) is a doubt for Friday. Murphy “put his body on the line”, when he played through pain in the Tallaght draw two weeks ago.

Bohemians’ defence kept Shamrock Rovers to a single goal despite missing stalwarts Roberto Lopes and Derek Prendergast through suspension. Both return this week, though the manager must sit out his second game in the stands, completing a two-game suspension.

Bohemians’ long-term injured – Derek Pender, Dan Byrne and Marc Griffin – remain out.

Partly through necessity, some squad members have had game-time in recent weeks after months on the bench. Dylan Hayes and Jason Caffrey have had chances and Long will aim to give these and others game-time between now and the end of season.

“Dylan has come into the team and done well. I was pleased how he played against Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. We’ll take it one game at a time but I’m sure there will be opportunities for players between now and the end of the season to make a claim for next year,” Long said.

“There are six games left, and there is a bigger picture, but our goal is to get the maximum points from the remaining games. We’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that but we’ll also have one eye on what might take shape for next season.”