Blue Square Premier weekend preview

by Setanta.com staff , 03 April 2009

Crawley Town v Burton Albion

Veteran Darren Stride is likely to continue in his new-found striker role for the visit to The Broadfield Stadium as Roy McFarland’s side inch closer to promotion.

Stride – who has predominantly played in midfield or defence for The Brewers – will partner Lee Morris who has told McFarland he wants to wait until the summer to discuss a new contract.

Meanwhile, Crawley boss Steve Evans has branded Conference officials ‘nuggets’ as they start a run of four games in eight days.

Evans is angry with The Red Devils fixture schedule but should have a fully-fit squad available to take on the league leaders.

Cambridge United v Forest Green

Forest Green forward Les Afful is boss Jim Harvey’s only injury worry as Rovers look to extend their unbeaten run to five games at high-flying Cambridge United.

Afful has been ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage but otherwise Harvey has a fully-fit squad.

Cambridge striker Mark Beesley misses the chance to face his former club after his season was ended last month with a hip injury.

But former Lawn favourites Wayne Hatswell and Anthony Tonkin should start for Gary Brabin’s promotion-chasers.

Torquay v Kettering

Right-back Lee Mansell is back to full fitness for Paul Buckle’s Gulls side after missing the last two games with a groin injury.

Winger Mustapha Carayol is also back in contention for a recall to the side after recovering from a chest infection.

Kettering midfielder Darren Wrack is set to miss the season run in after suffering a hamstring injury against Burton on Tuesday night.

But Wrack’s absence could give Brett Solkhon the chance to step into the breach for the visit to Plainmoor.

Barrow v Woking

Woking start life without Phil Gilchrist at the helm after he was sacked following the 5-1 defeat against Kidderminster.

Caretaker Graham Smith takes The Cards to the north west but will be without experienced midfielder Micah Hyde for the relegation six-pointer.

Striker Nick Rogan could retain his place in the Barrow starting line up after netting the equaliser as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Wrexham on Thursday.

Rogan should partner Jason Walker up front with on-loan Lee McEvilly sitting out the final game of his two-match ban.

Oxford United v Histon

Striker Danny Wright has declared himself fit for Histon after recovering from a hamstring injury but may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Jack Midson and Antonio Murray are likely to start in attack although boss Steve Fallon could start with Lee Roache after he impressed as a substitute against Mansfield on Tuesday.

Oxford defender Damien Batt will be missing for Chris Wilder’s men through suspension so Adam Chapman will be switched to right back.

Meanwhile, Craig Farrell and Yemi Odubade are vying for a starting berth in attack alongside in-form striker James Constable.

Kidderminster v Stevenage

Stevenage are without midfield duo David Bridges and Andy Drury for their trip to play-off rivals Kidderminster Harriers.

Bridges is struggling for with a knee injury while Drury has a hamstring strain so Gary Mills should continue to deputise in the heart of Boro’s line up.

Kidderminster boss Mark Yates has no new injury worries and has been buoyed by the return to training of midfielder Andy Ferrell.

Eastbourne Borough v Weymouth

On-loan Brighton & Hove Albion striker Sam Gargan will miss the remainder of Eastbourne’s season after being told he needs an operation on a knee injury.

Andy Atkin is also out for The Sports with a groin injury while Garry Wilson has doubts over Nathan Crabb and Matt Smart who picked up injuries in the 2-1 win over Crawley on Tuesday.

Terras boss Alan Lewer can all upon full backs Callum Hart and Jordan Collins for the trip across the south coast after the duo declared themselves fit and available.

Player-coach Marcus Browning is also back to full fitness but Stephen Reed is still suspended and Pierre Joseph-Dubois is out injured.

Ebbsfleet United v Northwich

Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish has a selection headache on his hands with a trio of players out injured.

Daish – whose side face a daunting 10 games in the space on 23 days – will be without Derek Duncan, Giuseppe Sole and Luis Cumbers.

Caretaker boss Andy Preece is sweating on the fitness of former Northern Ireland international Jeff Whitley who is doubtful with a knee injury.

Keeper Scott Tynan is out with a knee injury so Ryan Clarke should continue to don the gloves for The Vics. Grays Athletic v York

FA Trophy finalists York City will be without leading scorer Richard Brodie as he starts the first game of a two-match ban.

Winger Adam Smith will not travel to The Rec after sustaining a foot injury in a 1-0 defeat to Leeds United reserves on Wednesday night.

Midfielder Stuart Elliott plays his final game before starting a two-match ban after picking up ten yellow cards.

Rob Gier is back in The Blues squad after being called up to the Philippines national team.

Lewes v Altrincham

Lewes caretaker boss Steve Ibbitson will turn to youth in a bid to end their season on a high against Altrincham.

The relegated Rooks have just six Blue Square Premier games left to salvage their pride and will throw teenage striker Geoff Banks-Smith into the mix after joining on work experience from Brentford.

Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote has an injury nightmare to contend with ahead of the trip to the Dripping Pan as he has four first-team players out through injury.

Kevin Street, Chris Senior and Chris Denham are all fitness doubts while on-loan defender Michael Welch is also struggling.

Rushden & Diamonds v Salisbury

Rushden caretaker-boss Justin Edinburgh has been handed an injury boost after it was revealed Curtis Osano’s knee injury is not as bad as first feared.

But Osano will definitely miss the visit of The Whites while Chris Hope, Andy Burgess, Simon Downer and Marcus Kelly have all been offered new contracts.

Salisbury could welcome back Michael Fowler and Jimmy Sangare to the starting line up after returning to training this week.

Fowler (groin) and Sangare (hamstring) are expected to be in the matchday 16 but Rob Sinclair (knee) is sidelined.

Wrexham v Mansfield

Matt Somner is back to bolster the Mansfield midfield after his three-match ban came to an end in time to face Wrexham at The Racecourse Ground.

Defender Adie Moses and Louis Briscoe are struggling to shake off knocks while Mark Stallard and Oliver Hotchkiss have been suffering from illness.

Dean Saunders is likely to pick the same team that draw 1-1 with Barrow in midweek although that result virtually ended their chances of reaching the playoffs.

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Pos
Team P W D L GD PTS
1.
Arsenal
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.
Aston Villa
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.
Birmingham
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.
Blackburn
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.
Bolton
0
0
0
0
0
0
6.
Burnley
0
0
0
0
0
0
7.
Chelsea
0
0
0
0
0
0
8.
Everton
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.
Fulham
0
0
0
0
0
0
10.
Hull
0
0
0
0
0
0
11.
Liverpool
0
0
0
0
0
0
12.
Man City
0
0
0
0
0
0
13.
Man Utd
0
0
0
0
0
0
14.
Portsmouth
0
0
0
0
0
0
15.
Stoke
0
0
0
0
0
0
16.
Sunderland
0
0
0
0
0
0
17.
Tottenham
0
0
0
0
0
0
18.
West Ham
0
0
0
0
0
0
19.
Wigan
0
0
0
0
0
0
20.
Wolverhampton
0
0
0
0
0
0
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