Shelbourne were already facing a difficult Champions League task against Macedonian champions Sloga Jugomagnat in Skopje tomorrow - and it just got tougher.

Shels will be without inspirational defender Pat Scully. The former Arsenal centre back has failed to recover in time from a hamstring injury.

That means new signing Robert Raeside will be pitched in at the deep end, partnering Tony McCarthy in central defence. Shels boss Dermot Keely snapped up the South African-born former Dundee, Raith and Arbroath player on a free transfer, as cover for Scully.

Scully said: 'I really wanted to be involved in this game. But I have to accept that the manager's decision is final.'

The loss of the big centre back also deprives Shelbourne of a major goal threat at set-pieces. Only Stephen Geoghegan has outscored Scully over the last three seasons!

Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Paul Doolin goes into tomorrow night's match chasing a National League record. The 37-year-old has played 26 games in European competition with Bohs, Shamrock Rovers, Derry, Portadown and Shelbourne - just three short of the total accumulated by for Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians legend Johnny Fullam.

'It would be great if I could get close to the record this year - and that's possible if we beat Sloga and qualify to meet Rosenborg in the next round,' Doolin said.