Bray Wanderers go into the Eircom Premier League game against UCD tonight at the Carlisle Grounds with serious injury worries.

Out are Stephen Fox, Jody Lynch and Pat O'Brien. Fox has a problem with his ankle while Lynch has a knee injury and O'Brien is a long-term casualty and won't figure for a while yet.

The absentees could open the door for Gary Dempsey to get a first start for his new club. The former Everton midfielder, who has suffered more than most with inuries, joined Bray last week after spending the whole of the close season searching for a club.

The Wexford Town 19-year-old went on trial at Port Vale with fellow Irish and Everton player Dean Delaney.

Goalkeeper Delaney earned a contract but unfortunately Dempsey didn't so his search continued. He spent a time with Scottish Premier outfit St. Mirren but again failed to earn a deal.

When Bray signed him he was somewhat relieved that he was back in training again and with a chance to play.

Dempsey was the captain of the Irish u16 team during qualification for the 1998 European Championship which the country went on and won without him because he suffered a broken leg in a freak training accident and missed out on the trip to Scotland.

Gary sees Bray as a step back to reality. He said: "I've loved every minute of it since getting here. Getting regular training is exactly what I need and hopefully I'll get a few u21 games under my belt and take it from there."

UCD lost two games in a row before finally breaking the sequence with a 3-2 victory against Finn Harps at Belfield last weekend.

They will be hoping to continue winning ways tonight, which is a distinct possibility as they have a full squad to pick from.