Weekend Previews


Nationwide Div One

By J Bateman
November 29 2002

A Preview on all Saturdays Nationwide League Division One fixtures , Nottm Forest v Ipswich is my pick of the games at the weekend. Weekend Previews

Weekend Previews

Brighton v Reading

Brighton hope to get back on track after losing for the first time in four games in there close 3-2 defeat at Forest , the Seagulls are hopefully of Bobby Zamora and Graham Barret being fit for the game the boss will keep a close eye on both leading upto kick off.

Alan Pardew has no fresh injury worries for the visit to the Withdean and hopes the Royals can continue being the surprise package of the division.

Coventry v Preston

New signing Dean Holdsworth will almost certain start up front for the Sky Blues after completing a one month's loan move from Bolton , also with an injury to Morten Hylgaard another loan signing may start tommorow Ben Williams another loan signing this time from Man Utd. Both Lee Mills and Craig Hignett are missing from action.

Craig Brown will stick to the team that beat Leicester comfortably in midweek , but will still be without Michael Keane who is still suffering from a broken metatarsal , keeper Tepi Molanen will be 50/50 for tommorow so Andy Lonegan will stand by if needed.

Gillingham v Stoke

Player boss Andy Hessentaler will be missing from action after starting a suspension after being sent off against Sheff Wed , the boss will be without Barry Ashby after he pulled up in training with a groin problem also very doubtful could be David Perpetuini (ankle) and Roland Edge (knee).

Stoke welcome back Karl Henry and Petur Marteinsson both have been out with niggerling injurys and it's a bonus to have the calibre of those players back in dark times. Andy Cooke and Chris Greenacre could be rushed back into action after good reserve outings in the week

Grimsby v Leicester

Paul Groves has a couple of defensive problems with George Santos not figureing because his transfer will not be complete in time , also Simon Ford will be out throught suspension.

Leicester have a load of players back in contention , Trevor Benjamin, Jon Stevenson and Tommy Wright all vying for a starting role , but Micky Adams will possibly be without Jordan Stewart and Alan Rogers who are facing late tests on there fitness. Brian Deane will be the most missed has he starts  a three match suspension after his red card tackle of Denis Wise.

Millwall v Bradford

Mark Mcghee has plenty of players treading a suspension tightrope , Dennis Wise, Neil Harris and David Livermore are all one card away from a one match ban , Darren Ward is fighting fit but will not be risked for the game tommorow.

Bradford welcome back a host of players they include Jamie Lawrence and Peter Atherton who have been long term injurys and Robert Molonaaer returns from suspension.

Norwich v Derby

Norwich are hoping to get back to winning ways against Derby , Nigel Worthington welcomes back Phil Mulryhe he served a suspension last game , he has a fit side to choose from with the exception of Alex Notman who is out for a good few months yet with an ankle injury.

Izale McLeod or Lee Morris will come in for the suspended Malcolm Christie who starts a suspension , Derby are hoping to capitulised on there last victory 3-2 against Wimbledon and start climbing the table.

Nottm Forest v Ipswich (Match Of The Day)

David Johnson returns to his former club and hopes to shoot them down in the process , Nottm Forest got over there disapiontment of the Wolves game by beating Brighton in the week and results at other games Forest can be within touching distance of Leicester at the top. Marlon Harewood will start after limping out of the game in midweek .

John Royle will be without Finidi George who substained a back injury , Tommy Miller is on the comeback trial but tommorows trip to Forest has come a little too early.

Portsmouth v Walsall

Both Paul Merson and Steve Stone will have late fitness tests in hoping they can figure for the game against the Saddlers , defensive worrys a plenty for Harry Redknapp - Linvoy Primus picked up a groin strain and will not figure , Arjan De Zeeuw is suspended for the game tommorow as well.

Walsall welcome back Zigor Aranalde ( rib ) and Martin O Connor ( hamstring ) to the team , Pedro Matias is back in training but will not be fit in time to face the league leaders.

Rotherham v Wolves

Alan Lee is a welcome return for the Millers after serving a one match ban from the last game , Martin Macintosh will certainly be out after reaching five bookings.

Wolves will hand a starting role for new loan signing Carlton Cole he starts a months loan from tommorow , Paul Ince will be back in midfield after serving a one game ban , Wolves hope to be further boosted by the return of Colin Cameron.

Sheff Utd v C Palace

Sheff Utd will have no new injurys for there game tommorow , Wayne Allison and Paul Peschisolido hope to be fit but Rob Ullathorne continues to be sidelined after having a hernia operation.

Dougie Freedman is still out after a groin operation leaves him on the treatment table for a while yet , another player out is Steve Thomson he has bruised a bone in his leg , good news for Palace though is young striker Wayne Routlegde is in the squad tommorow.

Watford v Burnley

Sean Dyche is missing for tommorows game with a foot injury , Gavin Mahon will not return just yet as it's a bit too early but he has impressed in the reserve games he's played in.

Steve Davis makes a welcome return in defence to bolster the squad after recovering from a groin strain , Gareth Taylor will hopefully return after recovering from concussion but another player missing is Lee Briscoe who is serving a ban. 

Wimbledon v Sheff Wed

Wimbledon will be hoping to bounce back after there unlucky defeat at Derby on Monday they will be without Rob Geir who is suspended , Trond Andersen and Paul Heald will be out both have flu. 

New signing Ryan Green will be included in the team after impressing in the reserves in the week , Shefki Kuqi is back after serving a one game ban and David Burrows returns after recovering from a broken collarbone.

 

Full Match Previews can be found at --

Brighton IBHA

Burnley The Longsider

Grimsby The Mariner

Ipswich Singing The Blues

Sheff Utd bladesfc.co.uk

Walsall The Saddlers FC

Wolves wolvesfc.co.uk

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