Anticipating a Toon Army invasion, Bohs manager Keith Long said: “We’re delighted to welcome such an iconic club with a big Irish following to Dalymount Park.

“Our players are looking forward to pitting their wits against a team full of international players and some household names.”

It will be Newcastle’s first visit to Dalymount Park in 16 years.

The Gypsies last hosted the Magpies in a friendly in July 1998 when a Derek Swan penalty past Shay Given secured a 1-1 draw against Kenny Dalglish’s side.

The sides also met in the UEFA Cup in 1977 when, after a 0-0 first leg in Dalymount, Newcastle proceeded to the next round after a 4-0 win at St James’ Park.

“We played very well against Galway. The most important thing was to get through to the next round but it was a very good team performance and we fully deserved to win.

“We had injuries coming up to the game and then more during it, but thankfully that didn’t stifle us.

“We followed that up against UCD too. The Leinster Senior Cup isn’t top of clubs’ priorities but it’s nice to get into the final.

“The most pleasing aspect was the manner of our performance, particularly our passing game in the second half, which bounces us on now into Sunday’s game.”

Both victories came at a price – all three of Bohs’ substitutions against Galway were enforced by injury.

Goalscorer Paddy Kavanagh (ankle), Jake Kelly (hamstring) and Derek Pender (quad) made way for Keith Buckley, Mark Quigley and Stephen Best respectively.

Quigley in turn was forced off in the first half against UCD with a knee injury and replaced by Ayman Ben Mohamed, who misses Sunday’s game and next Friday’s game against Wexford Youths due to his involvement with the Tunisia national team.

Kavanagh and Quigley remain sidelined through injury, but both are suspended for Sunday’s game anyway. There was better news for Bohs’ other walking wounded, who have all been passed fit to play.

Long said: “Paddy will be touch and go for the Wexford Youths game next week too. We mightn’t see him again until after the mid-season break.

“The good news is the damage to his ankle wasn’t as bad as we feared and we hope to have him back training next week.

“Jake and Derek are available for selection as is Lorcan Fitzgerald, who missed the Galway game with a hamstring injury.”

Those injuries allowed others to stake their claim for a starting place. Fitzgerald’s withdrawal saw Dylan Hayes drafted in at right-back against Galway, with skipper Pender moving to left-back.

With those three full-backs available for Sunday, Long is happy to have a selection headache.

He added: “When Derek was injured last season, Dylan came into the team and showed what he is capable of in the last series of games.

“Dylan’s unassuming, good on the ball and a tigerish tackler too. I’m happy for him as he has been training very well.

“He is pushing Derek the whole time and has been unlucky not to have forced his way in until now.

“Stephen Best, James Kavanagh and Paul Rooney all started against UCD too and gave good performances, so we do have options.”

“If we can reproduce the performance from down in Sligo last week but take our chances this time, then I am confident we can get the victory.”

Long was once again left frustrated as Bohs passed up several gilt-edged opportunities in last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat away to Sligo Rovers to end their barren run.

He said: “It’s too easy to say we were unlucky. It’s more than luck, so we can’t play the luck card.

“We played well and with a high tempo but we are not being ruthless enough. We had at least a half-dozen clear-cut chances, not just half-chances.

“On another night, with the amount of chances we passed up, we would have won the game comfortably.

“Obviously we were disappointed with the goal we conceded too, but ultimately we have to stop being so wasteful in front of goal. It’s as simple as that.”

Bohs’ selection options have been limited by the decision of Anto Murphy to leave the club due to family and work commitments.

Long said: “Anto has been a great servant for the club for several years. It’s disappointing, he will be a big loss.

“We will have to wait until July before we can strengthen our squad but I have a few irons in the fire.”

One major doubt for Friday’s game is Derek Prendergast, who was forced off against Sligo with a hamstring injury.

Jason Caffrey (hamstring) has returned to full training after a long lay-off but will not be risked against Galway.

“That is an incredible opportunity for me and it is good for the profile of the club and league too. It shows we have a good stage here to develop.”

Ben Mohamed has just completed his second year of a four-year Business, Economics and Social Studies (BESS) degree at Trinity College.

He said: “I sat the last of my summer exams yesterday, so I’m looking forward to concentrating on my football for the next few months.”

The call-up means that Bohs will be without their star man for league clashes with St Patrick’s Athletic on May 29 and Wexford Youths on June 3.

But manager Keith Long, who signed Ben Mohamed from Longford Town at the start of the season, is delighted with the recognition his player has received.

Long said: “He’ll miss two games for us but it’s great for him and the club. He’s been a real breath of fresh air and I’m delighted for him.

“He’s a real throwback to an old-school winger. He loves to take players on and he has a bit of pace about him too.

“He came to the club to improve and develop as a player, so it’s deserved recognition for the contribution he’s made.”

Tunisia sit joint second with Togo in their four-team Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group on seven points, two points behind leaders Liberia, after four games each.

Next month’s opposition Djibouti, who Tunisia defeated 8-1 when the sides met last year, are rooted bottom with no points.

Group winners qualify automatically, while the the two best-ranked second-placed countries from 11 four-team qualifying groups will also travel to the 2017 tournament in Gabon.

Ben Mohamed added: “Djibouti obviously aren’t one of the stronger teams in Africa and Tunisia will be expected to beat them comfortably again.”

Bohs will be without striker Mark Quigley, who is suspended after his red card in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Cork City.

But the Gypsies’ options up front have been boosted by the return of Ismahil Akinade, who had been sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Akinade featured as a substitute against Cork and is in contention for a starting place for the first time in four weeks.

Long said: “Izzy hadn’t been right for a few weeks so we needed to give him time to recover. He offers us a different dimension to our play and a different dynamic up front.”

Bohs’ bid to end their barren run saw Jake Kelly and Kurtis Byrne restored to the starting line-up against Cork City.

Long said: “We tried to bring some positivity to our attacking play by bringing in Jake and Kurtis in central areas. There were positive signs early on in the game with good movement and interchanging of positions but we lacked end product.

“We conceded a poor goal at a bad time and we allowed Cork see out the game far too comfortably.

“We were the home team and we should have been bringing the game to them after we conceded but we didn’t do that, which is disappointing.”

A Kurtis Byrne wonder goal gave Bohs a 1-0 victory against tomorrow’s opposition the last time the sides met.

But Dave Robertson’s men are a much-improved side since. Before Tuesday’s defeat away to Shamrock Rovers, the Bit O’Red had won their previous three games in a row.

Long added: “I’ve been very impressed with Sligo any time I’ve seen them. They will be playing with real confidence, despite the result in Tallaght.

“But we have to concentrate on our own performances. We are not a million miles off getting it right and with a little more belief and hard work we can improve our league standing”

Bohs are without Quigley (suspended) and Jason Caffrey (hamstring). Ayman Ben Mohamed (groin) is a doubt.