Derry's Peter Hutton has picked up a ligament injury

Relegation-threatened Derry City will be without Peter Hutton and Sean Friars as they battle to retain their Premier Division status.

Both sustained ligament damage in Tuesday night's home defeat at the hands of Bohemians.

Manager Dykes has said he is confident the Candystripes can finish above bottom-placed UCD in the Premier Division of the Eircom League.

The club which finishes bottom is automatically relegated to the First Division with the side immediately above them going into a play-off.

The Candystripes, currently occupy the relegation slot in the table, and are now five points behind the team above them Drogheda United.

Drogheda picked up a useful point in a 2-2 draw with St Patrick's Athletic on Tuesday but it was another bleak night for Derry.

Bobby Ryan got the opener for the Bohs after just four minutes at the Brandywell.

After a foul on Paddy McLaughlin, Ryan found the net from a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area.

Dave Morrison made it two for the Dublin outfit on 29 minutes from a Damien Lynch cross.

Kevin Hunt's goal nine minutes from time gave the Bohs their 3-0 winning scoreline.

Derry's best chances fell to Ciaran Martyn and Gary Beckett in the second half but neither could convert.