Weekend Team News

utd v wednesday

By J Bateman
January 17 2003

All the team news for the Nationwide League Division One for this weekend.

Sheff Utd v Sheff Wed

at Bramall Lane

ko - 19-45 (Sky - tonight)

Sheff Utd welcome new signing Dean Windass , he has been online recently but the Blades have him permantly now and should pose Wednesday a real threat , Paddy Kenny could be out with a knee injury so Wilko de Vogt stands in for a first start.

Carl Robinson - Chris Turner's new signing jumps straight into the Steel City Derby tonight , Darryl Powell joins Robinson in making a debut tonight ,but Paul Mclaren misses out .

One To Watch Dean Windass - Sheff Utd

Prediction Sheff Utd 3 Sheff Wed 1

Brighton v Portsmouth

at Withdean Stadium

ko - 12-00

New Seagulls signing Ben Roberts will get an instant start after signing on loan to cover for injuried keeper Michael Kuipers , Steve Sidwell is again missing he is having talks with Reading for a move to the Madjeski , Charlie Oatway replaces Sidwell up front again.

Leaders Pompey are hoping there jitters stop tommrow ,Yakubu Ayegbeni may get a start after he got his work permit papers through , Gianluca Festa will continue to start after he got 75 minutes in the last game towards full recovery.

One To Watch Bobby Zamora - Brighton

Prediction Brighton 2 Portsmouth 2

Crystal Palace v Burnley

At Selhurst Park

ko - 15-00

Great news for Eagles fans is the possible return to the starting line up of Andrew Johnson , the striker has been out for the last few weeks with a broken toe ,Dougie Freedman and Curtis Fleming are not long away from returning but Darren Powell (hernia) and Alex Kolinko (hamstring) are out .

Robbie Blake or Ian Moore will be sweating on starting tommorow because of the return of Gareth Taylor from suspension , Marlon Beresford is avaliable and pushing for a recall but Steve Davis and Paul Weller remain sidelined .

One To Watch Dele Adebola - Crystal Palace

Prediction C Palace 2 Burnley 1

Gillingham v Leicester

at Preistfeild Stadium

ko - 15-00

Bad news for Gills is the absence of hitman Marlon King for upto two months , Rod Wallace being ready for a league start again will sooth a few of the nerves though he will possibly be fit in the next week.

Muzzy Izzet returns to duty after his suspension layoff but the Foxes will be missing Jamie Scowcroft after he underwent an operation stomach muscle problem , Callum Davidson will play throught the pain barrier with a hamstring strain.

One To Watch Andy Hessentaler - Gillingham

Prediction Gillingham 1 Leicester 1

Grimsby v Millwall

at Blundell Park

ko - 15-00

George Santos is once again on the sidelines with a hamstring strain but the Mariners welcome back Stacey Coldicott and Simon Ford after the pair were rested in last weekend , Michael Boulding is back after he missed the FA Cup game due to his registration not being in on time .

Stuart Nethercott misses the trip to Blundell Park with a stomach complaint , also out are Neil Harris ( twisted ankle) and Andy Roberts (achilles) , on the brighter side though Millwall will continue playing Keith Braniff up front .

One To Watch Michael Boulding - Grimsby

Prediction Grimsby 3 Millwall 1

Ipswich v Preston

at Portman Road

ko - 15-00

Ipswich will really fancy taking 3 pionts from this game has Preston have been dire of late , Town will hope to have an unchanged side but are sweating on the injury doubts over Jim Magilton (calf) and Tommy Miller (tendinitis) , Pablo Counago will continue upfront for Town after getting over his recent head injury.

Johnanthan Gould will make his Deepdale debut for Preston in palce of injury David Lucas , major suspension problems for Craig Brown in which Graham Alexander, Chris Lucketti, Dickson Etuhu, Paul McKenna and Mark Rankine are all out

One To Watch Pablo Counago - Ipswich

Prediction Ipswich 3 Preston 0

Nottm Forest v Coventry

at The City Ground

ko - 15-00

Nottingham Forest have been hit with suspensions ahead of the vital six pointer against Coventry at The City Ground. David Johnson, Jack Lester and Mattieu Louis-Jean are all forced to sit out the game. On a positive note skipper Des Walker returns after injury and he is likely to take the place of Chris Doig at the heart of The Reds Defence.

Coventry may well name an unchanged side after the 3-0 victory over Cardiff in midweek. Lee Fowler made an impressive debut capping it with a goal and looks sure to have done enough to stay in the side. Lee Mills and John Eustace will not be available as they have moved out on loan with foreigners Chippo and Safri on the long-term injury list. Player-boss Gary McAllister expects to be fit.

One To Watch Andy Reid -Nottm Forest

Prediction Nottm Forest 1 Coventry 1

TEAM NEWS WRITTEN BY KEVIN BETHELL

Reading v Walsall

at The Madjeski Stadium

ko - 15-00

This will be the teams third meeting in under 2 weeks , and Reading will be looking to stop Walsall's indian sign against them , Andy Myers and Anthony Rougier may be recalled and also John Salako is pushing for a return as replacement for Nathan Tyson.

Ian Roper who was stretchered of at Reading in the week is out along with Danny Sonner , and Martin O Connor is rated very doubtful also , Walsall bouyant over the victory in the week will be even more happier today as they announced they have extended Junior's loan deal until the end of the season.

One To Watch Jamie Cureton - Reading

Prediction Reading 2 Walsall 1

Rotherham v Bradford

at Millmoor

ko - 15-00

Andy Monkhouse is fit for this game against Bradford. This means that Ronnie Moore has to decide between Garner who has been playing really well in recent weeks and Monkhouse , Alan Lee is still out of the Rotherham squad and that means that Darren Byfield will continue upfront.

Danny Cadamarteri is back in training for the Bantams, but not yet fit enough to play. Ashley Ward and Jamie Lawrence are both fit and are looking to get back into the first-team squad.

One To Watch Darren Byfield - Rotherham

Prediction Rotherham 1 Bradford 0

Stoke v Derby

at The Brittania Stadium

ko - 15-00

Stoke's loan signings should be all set to play in tomorrows fixture. Steve Banks (Bolton) Frazer Richardson (Leeds). Lee Mills will also be available after agreeing a one month loan signing from Coventry.

Derby have a few selection problems with Warren Barton and Steve Elliott out banned. Craig Burley, Hunt and Rob Lee are doubtful with injuries. On a brighter note for Derby, Danny Higginbotham could return from his injury.

One To Watch Chris Greenacre - Stoke

Prediction Stoke 2 Derby 0

Wolves v Wimbledon

at Molineux

ko - 15-00

Wolves have major doubts over the fitness of midfielder Alex Rae but are pleased with the news that Paul Ince has shaken of a head injury , Mo Camara has suffered a fresh setback from a knee injury , George Ndah and Kenny Miller will stay the forward options but they have Adam Proudlock breathing down there necks.

The Dons have plenty of worrys for the tough trip to Molineux , Trond Andersen and Gareth Ainsworth are missing through suspension and Darren Hollaway and Lionel Morgan remain sidelined , David Connelly is rated 50/50 and will take a late fitness test tommorow.

One To Watch Joleon Lescott

Prediction Wolves 2 Wimbledon 1