Derry City handed a clear objective as boss Ruaidhri Higgins targets revival of title dream

Shane McEleney returns from suspension for Derry City on Friday night

Last week’s defeat at Sligo Rovers has left Derry City with absolutely no room for error when they host UCD on Friday night.

With just five League games remaining, the Candystripes sit five points behind champions Shamrock Rovers, who are now odds-on to reclaim their title.

The champions host in-form Shelbourne at Tallaght on Friday night, but Higgins only cares about what happens at the Brandywell against an already-relegated opponent, who shocked the League by taking points off Rovers just last week.

“It’s a game we need to win, there’s no getting away from it,” he said.

“We have to get the points on the board. We have to be ready and try and take the three points and make sure we improve on last week’s performance which you’d have to say is a one-off over the last couple of months.

“We need to get back to performing the way that we were previously.”

Shane McEleney returns from suspension, but Ronan Boyce misses out due to his red card at the Showgrounds, while Mark Connolly continues to struggle with injury.

Higgins is hoping that his players can get the defeat at Sligo out of their systems and get back to scoring goals — and avoid a repeat of the controversial decisions which cost them a win last week.

“It’s the first League defeat in a while and everyone’s hurting and the only way you can respond to that is getting back on the horse and being positive,” he said.

“We’re at home in front of our own supporters and our home form has been good for the last few months.

“We need to continue that and try to be ruthless here at home and win the game and get the points on the board.”

Higgins has an unblemished record against UCD, winning seven successive