Peter Cherrie insists Derry are not punching above their weight as they look to consolidate their top four spot.
The Candystripes have not lost to any side below them in the table - but their four defeats so far have come against Bohs (twice), Shamrock Rovers and tonight's opponents Dundalk.
Two of those losses were painful for more than the usual reason for the former league winner.
Coming out to punch the ball clear against Bohs on March 7, Cherrie caught team-mate Ally Gilchrist and the keeper fractured his right hand.
A week later, against Dundalk, he caught Pat Hoban in a similar scenario and fractured his left hand.
"It's the same on both hand, the bone of the pinkie," said Cherrie. "It was difficult for a couple of weeks after that, it was painful, but I wanted to play on.
"But I sat down with Declan (Devine) and the physios and it was decided to rest me for a couple of weeks, and that's what they did.
The experienced netminder only missed two league games. "It's been OK," Cherrie said. "I'm back training and playing and it's not causing any problems.
"There's no issue when I make a save, I'm strapping my hands up. So it's not too bad.I'll keep playing away. And I've still got to play well."
Stuart Byrne column: It was a tough call, but it’s the right cull for Cork City
As do Derry, who have only lost one of their last four games and are facing a Dundalk side hitting a rich vein of form.
But the Candystripes will take encouragement from the fact that they've only lost once away from the Brandywell this term.
"It will be a tough game but it's no better result than to go to the home of the champions and take some points away, so we're looking forward to it," said Cherrie, who won a league title with the Lilywhites in 2014, his last season with the club.
"They've hit a little bit of form, they're starting to play well.
"We've done well, I think we've surprised a few people. Our game against Bohs the other night was our eighth in three weeks and the boys looked a little tired.
"But the management have looked after them this week, they've had more rest and it hasn't been as intense. They should be well rested for this one."
Cherrie is 35 now and enjoying the youthful setup at the Foyleside, and particularly the way, under Devine, the team has gone back to the old Derry. "It got away from that for a couple of years," he said.
"I don't see why we can't qualify for Eurpe if we keep going as we're going, but it's going to be tough.
"We'd love to be up there challenging for the league but we're a young squad, we just have to knuckle down and sort a few things. But never say never".
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
