Russell: Pat's will keep pressure on

After a string of five league games against their country cousins from places like Sligo Rovers and Derry City, Pat's face a series of local derbies, taking on Bohemians, Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers in their next three league matches.

And Liam Buckley's men are intent on staying the course with the teams around them.

Russell returned to the Saints midfield for last week's win over Derry City after a spell out through injury, and aims to reclaim his place for the cross-city clash trip to play Bohs.

He said: "They're all big games from now until the end of the season.

"The squad realise that and we're all hungry and ready to go and try and win as many games from now till the end of the season to put pressure on the sides ahead of us.

"I hadn't played since the away game against Hannover in the Europa League, and there's nothing worse for a player to be in the stand and watching a game you can't influence.

"It was great to get back out on the pitch on Monday, especially as we won.

"Hopefully we can keep up the level of play we produced on Monday against Bohs this week, as any game between the two sides is always a big game."

Bohs fans will have to wait for the first appearance of former Pat's man Garreth O'Connor, who is back at Dalymount Park after a 12-year spell, as he's not yet match fit.

"I go into all matches thinking of them as tough games, whoever it's against.

"But the games against the top-of-the-table teams are ones I really look forward to because I believe if we get our performance right we can give any team a game," says Bohs boss Aaron Callaghan.