Allan Preston is set to attend Flancare Park tonight to run the rule over three players as Cup finalists Longford Town and Waterford United renew acquaintances in the midlands. Kick-off: 7.30pm.
Preston, whose Livi side currently prop up the SPL table after just two wins in 14 games so far this season, is expected to attend a second eircom League game in five days having reportedly been in the attendance at the Shelbourne-Waterford clash at Tolka Park last Friday night.
Blues striker Daryl Murphy, with 14 league goals to his name this season and seven more in the FAI Cup, is thought to be high on the hit-list.
The Irish under-21 international impressed against Shels last week, and Preston is keen to take another look before a possible move for the ex-Luton Town trainee in January – though he may have to withstand strong competition for his signature, as more illustrious clubs than Livingston, thought to include Manchester City and Ipswich Town, are also rumoured to be keeping an eye on the 21-year-old.
With defence a real difficulty for the Almondvale side, Preston is also said to be keeping an eye on Longford’s defensive pair Barry Ferguson and Stephen Paisley.
Ferguson, the club captain, has been in impeccable form all season but missed out on lifting the Cup last month as he sat out the big match through suspension.
Left-footed Paisley, a former Manchester City youngster, has only recently established himself in the midlanders’ side after returning to Ireland last year.