Weekend Team News

forest v palace

By Matt Lond & J Bateman
February 7 2003

All the weekends team news for Nationwide League Division One.

Brighton v Wolves

at Withdean Stadium

ko - 15-00

Goalkeeper Ben Roberts will return to the Brighton side for the match against Wolves provided he has fully recovered from gastric flu. He will replace Dave Beasant if he makes it.Nathan Jones and Charlie Oatway will have late fitness tests after they picked up ankle injuries during the midweek defeat by Wimbledon, but the Seagulls are still missing Richard Carpenter, with a knee injury.

Wolves left-back Denis Irwin serves a one-match suspension as Dave Jones' look to continue their recent good form. Irwin picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the FA Cup thrashing of Leicester and will miss only his second league match of the campaign. George Ndah is a doubt after receiving injections for a hamstring injury. Dean Sturridge suffered no ill-effects from his Achilles injury after making a scoring return to the team at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, but his fellow frontman Nathan Blake, remains on the long-term injury list with damaged foot ligaments.

One To Watch Joleon Lescott - Wolves

Prediction Brighton 1 Wolves 2

Coventry v Burnley

at Highfield Rd

ko - 15-00

Coventry will try until the last possible minute to get international clearance for loan signing Vincente Engonga to play in the home game with Burnley. He has been training with the club for two weeks and the Sky Blues are hopeful the Spanish Football Association will give the all clear in time. Striker Julian Joachim's latest comeback attempt was hit by a muscle strain in the hip region that prevented his return to the reserves in midweek. Youssef Chippo is available again after serving a suspension following his red card against Watford and fellow Moroccan Youssef Safri is still some way off a comeback after an hernia operation.

Burnley manager Stan Ternent welcomes back Graham Branch after he missed last week's 5-2 home defeat by Reading through suspension, and he is expected to return to the starting line-up at Highfield Road. Lee Briscoe is an injury doubt after being taken to hospital with a thigh injury last Saturday. Paul Weller is nearing a return to full fitness following calf problems, while Brad Maylett (Achilles) and Steve Davis (knee) remain sidelined.

One To Watch Richie Partridge - Coventry

Prediction Coventry 1 Burnley 1

Grimsby v Stoke

At Blundell Park

ko - 15-00

Michael Boulding is expected to return to the Grimsby line up for the crunch match with Stoke City at Blundell Park. The striker has been suffering from an ankle problem, but a scan has revealed nothing more than bruising and he has returned to full training this week. He will replace Steve Livingstone, who begins a three-match ban following a red card. David Soames, Chris Thompson or Jonny Rowan are fighting to partner Boulding, as Darren Mansaram is also out. Alan Pouton and Stacy Coldicott are still struggling with knee and Achilles injuries respectively and are rated very doubtful.

Stoke striker Chris Iwelumo is struggling with a calf problem picked up during the draw with Norwich last weekend while on-loan striker Lee Mills is pushing hard for a starting place after his late equaliser against the Canaries which took Stoke out of the bottom three. Defender Wayne Thomas is expected to be fit after recovering from a thigh knock

One To Watch Micheal Boulding - Grimsby

Prediction Grimsby 1 Stoke 1

Ipswich v Sheff Utd

at Portman Road

ko - 15-00

Ipswich Town striker Alun Armstrong could return from injury against Sheffield United although Armstrong picked up a minor knock for the reserves in midweek as he continued his comeback from a hamstring injury which led to him being taken off at half time as a precaution but he suffered no reaction. Transfer-listed Dutch midfielder Martijn Reuser is undergoing treatment for a hip injury and may miss out. Striker Richard Naylor is also a doubt after suffering a minor knee problem.

New Sheffield United signing Marcel Cas could go straight into the Blades squad for the game. The winger, who has joined on a non-contract basis until the end of the season, has been with the squad during a midweek break in the Spanish resort of La Manga. Centre-half Robert Page will return to partner Shaun Murphy at the heart of the defence, and that could mean Rob Kozluk dropping down to the bench with Phil Jagielka slotting in at full-back. Boss Neil Warnock has no new injury or suspension worries, but threatened to make further changes following last week's defeat at Millwall.

One To Watch Darren Ambrose - Ipswich

Prediction Ipswich 1 Sheff Utd 1

Nottm Forest v C Palace

at City Ground

ko - 17-35 (Live SKY)

Nottingham Forest boss Paul Hart hopes to have leading scorer David Johnson available for his team's match with Crystal Palace after Johnson has spent much of this week receiving treatment for a knee injury. He is expected to be fit for the evening game, and if he plays then Hart is almost certain to name an unchanged team following the 3-2 win over Wimbledon last Saturday. Forest's veteran skipper Des Walker is still out of contention as he continues his treatment for a torn thigh muscle.

Crystal Palace manager Trevor Francis has no new injury worries ahead of the game after the excellent 2-0 FA Cup replay win at Liverpool on Wednesday night. Finnish international midfielder Aki Riihilahti is back in training following a thigh injury but remains doubtful. Captain Curtis Fleming is sidelined with a recurrence of a knee injury and goalkeeper Alex Kolinko is unlikely to return after refusing to play for the club at Leicester last weekend.

One To Watch Marlon Harewood - N Forest

Prediction Nottm Forest 1 C Palace 0

Portsmouth v Derby

at Fratton Park

ko - 15-00

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is hoping to welcome back defender Gianluca Festa for the visit of Derby County. The Italian has been out for almost a month since picking up a knee injury in the home defeat by Sheffield United. Arjan de Zeeuw and Steve Stone are almost certainly out of the clash, with Redknapp not wanting to bring the pair back too early. Vincent Pericard and Deon Burton played for the reserves against Reading in midweek and could come into contention.

Derby striker Fabrizio Ravanelli is firmly back in boss John Gregory's plans ahead of the game after the former Italy striker played a part of last week's win over Rotherham and the majority of the reserve game in midweek. Midfielder Craig Burley, who was dropped last weekend after apparently falling out with Gregory over a failed loan move to Middlesbrough, also turned out for the reserves. Club captain Warren Barton has had an injection in his shoulder injury and fully expects to be able to start for the Rams. The Pride Park team have no suspensions to worry about.

One To Watch Fabrizio Ravenelli - Derby

Prediction Portsmouth 3 Derby 1

Preston v Millwall

at Deepdale

ko - 15-00

Preston boss Craig Brown is boosted by the return of Rob Edwards and Dickson Etuhu for the game against Millwall. Edwards is set to take his place in the squad after recovering from an ankle injury, while Etuhu's hamstring problem has cleared up sufficiently for him to be considered for the weekend game. Marlon Broomes is Brown's only doubt, having been forced off early into last weekend's victory over Gillingham with a badly bruised thigh, while Colin Murdock is suspended. Richard Cresswell is set to retain his starting berth after coming through his comeback game last weekend without a reaction of the hamstring strain he suffered.

Matt Lawrence is doubtful for Millwall after leaving the New Den on crutches following the FA Cup defeat by Southampton. The Lions defender was substituted in the fourth-round replay loss on Wednesday night. Captain Stuart Nethercott is missing with a groin injury, while fellow defender Mark Phillips has a hamstring problem. Striker Neil Harris is a fortnight away from recovering from a twisted ankle, but Andy Roberts is set for a recall after returning from Achilles trouble. Ben May returned as a substitute against Southampton and could start if veteran striker Steve Claridge is rested.

One To Watch Richard Cresswell - Preston

Prediction Preston 1 Millwall 0

Sheff Wed v Norwich

at Hillsborough

ko - 15-00

New Sheffield Wednesday signing Brian Barry-Murphy should retain his place in the Owls' starting line-up for the visit of Norwich as Derek Geary completes his two-match ban, which means Chris Turner will utilise the squad he employed last week in the 4-0 home defeat by Wolves. Lloyd Owusu is in contention after starting the game on the bench, but he may have to wait for his chance with on-loan striker Michael Reddy in line to make his second appearance for the Owls.

Norwich City have fitness doubts over midfield duo Mark Rivers and Phil Mulryne. Rivers picked up an abdominal strain during last week's draw with Stoke City and is rated doubtful. Mulryne is recovering from flu and has missed most of training this week. Defender Dean Sinclair is suspended after picking up five yellow cards, but Steen Nedergaard is back in contention after a calf problem.

One To Watch Iwan Roberts - Norwich

Prediction Sheff Wed 1 Norwich 2

Walsall v Leicester

at Bescot Stadium

ko - 15-00

Walsall manager Colin Lee is without Danny Hay and Ian Roper for the clash with Leicester. Hay is suspended for picking up five yellow cards, while Roper is struggling with a groin injury. Loan signing Jean-Phillipe Javary may not make the squad after missing out on match practice following the cancellation of a reserve game in midweek. Striker Junior returns from suspension and is available after receiving international clearance to continue playing at the Bescot Stadium until the end of the season.

Leicester boss Micky Adams will have to rethink his defensive line-up with Callum Davidson and Alan Rogers both suspended. The duo picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season in the FA Cup defeat at Wolves and will serve one-match bans. Briane Deane (cheekbone) and Andy Impey (groin) are not yet ready to be considered for a return to the side as the Foxes continue to chase Portsmouth at the top of Division One.

One To Watch Paul Dickov - Leicester

Prediction Walsall 1 Leicester 2

Watford v Rotherham

at Vicarage Road

ko - 15-00

Watford manager Ray Lewington will recall Sean Dyche if Marcus Gayle fails to recover from injury. Gayle is currently suffering from a hamstring strain and struggled to train in the Hornets break in Portugal. Dyche has played three reserve games after seven weeks out with an Achilles injury, and Lewington has no worries about recalling him. Jermaine Pennant will play his last league match for the Hornets before returning to Arsenal from his loan spell.

Rotherham United midfielder John Mullin is available after missing the 3-0 defeat at Derby through suspension. The Millers boss Ronnie Moore must decide whether to name Mullin or Nick Daws alongside loan signing Curtis Woodhouse in centre midfield. Up front Darren Byfield, Richie Barker and Alan Lee are all vying for a place in the starting line-up.

One To Watch Jermaine Pennant - Watford

Prediction Watford 2 Rotherham 0

Wimbledon v Bradford

at Selhurst Park

ko - 15-00

Wimbledon manager Stuart Murdoch's injury worries are easing ahead of the visit of Bradford as Mark Williams has recovered from a thigh strain, while Kelvin Davis and Neil Shipperley both returned against Brighton on Tuesday. Out are Jobi McAnuff (groin) and Lionel Morgan (knee), while Darren Holloway has yet to recover from a cartilage operation. Loan signing Moritz Volz from Arsenal will play after ruling himself out of Wednesday's Under-20 international between England and Germany at Reading.

Bradford City welcome back leading scorer Andy Gray and defender Peter Atherton for the game after the duo missed the Bantams' 2-0 win over Ipswich last weekend through suspension but they are expected to be restorted to the starting line-up. Defender Simon Francis will not feature as he serves a one-match ban after being sent off in the last minute of the 2-1 victory against Grimsby two weeks ago. Bradford are sweating on the fitness of Wayne Jacobs and goalkeeper Aidan Davison, who both sustained injuries in training during the week. Both travel with the squad, but will be given late fitness tests beforehand.

One To Watch Neil Shipperly - Wimbledon

Prediction Wimbledon 2 Bradford 0