Cork City's Doherty expected to return for Cobh clash

Cork City striker Jack Doherty looks set to recover in time for Friday night's First Division derby with Cobh Ramblers at Turner's Cross.

Doherty - the league's joint top-goalscorer - missed the draw away in Wexford on Monday having limped out of the Athlone Town victory three days earlier with an Achilles injury. 

"Yeah, Jack obviously picked up a knock," Cork City assistant manager Jamie Hamill told the Irish Examiner on Wednesday. "When you've got a busy schedule with three games in eight days, we just really need to get cotton wool around some of the players."

"Hopefully, Jack should be fine, he got through training today."

The visit of Cobh provides another opportunity for Tim Clancy's men to lengthen their winning run on home soil to five. 

While three away draws have affected City's progress at the league summit, winning momentum can be restored with a derby win on Friday night.

How much weight does Hamill put on such a feat being conquered? 

"It's massive." the 37-year-old Scotland native said. "I think if we can keep that home form going, and keep getting the fans through the gates, that's a massive thing for ourselves. 

"The players feed off that energy as well, and hopefully, we can get a massive three points which would take us to 21 points, not a bad return out of the first nine games." 

Doherty's imminent return to the side will provide the City management with an array of options up top, but it's an area of the pitch the Rebel Army have yet to show a real cutting edge in. 

While looking down from the top of the First Division standings, four sides have scored more than their 10-goal total thus far this campaign. 

Finding the best combination has proved tricky for several reasons; injury returnees easing