DERRY City FC striker Rory Patterson was included in the Candy Stripes side for their Airtricity Premiership clash with Bohemians on Friday night.

His inclusion came only hours after being given a suspended sentence for biting a man in the face in a city centre assault.

Bohemians ran out 2-0 winners, denting Derry City’s hopes of European football.

Pattrerson (29), of Oakfield Mews, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident outside a bar on Shipquay Street on 12 December last year.

DVD footage of the incident played in court showed Patterson attacking his victim.

A defence barrister told the court the attack took place after the injured party had kissed Patterson’s girlfriend twice on the cheek.

The barrister said Patterson accepted what he did was wrong and would have to live with the stigma of his actions for the remainder of his career.

Deputy District Judge Connolly sentenced Patterson to nine months in jail suspended for two years and ordered him to pay his victim £1,000 compensation.

Patterson joined Derry City on a two-year contract last year and is currently the top goalscorer in the Airtricity Premiership.