Burton v Southend preview

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Burton midfielder Florent Cuvelier is hoping to shake off a hamstring strain in time to make his home debut against Southend.

Cuvelier, on loan from Sheffield United, sustained the injury after stepping off the bench to score in his first appearance for Albion in the recent win at Hartlepool and missed Saturday’s home win against Accrington.

Striker Adam McGurk returned to the starting line-up at the weekend following a hamstring injury in place of Mickael Antoine-Curier, but the latter is pushing for a recall.

Midfielder Callum Reilly, on loan from Birmingham, stepped off the bench for his first appearance against Accrington and is in contention for his full debut.

Southend pair Barry Corr and Ben Coker are both battling to shake off minor injuries in time to feature.

Striker Corr is struggling with a bruised foot sustained in the weekend win at Dagenham, while left-back Coker is nursing an abductor muscle problem and boss Phil Brown will make a late decision on the duo.

Brown has no new selection issues. Goalkeeper Daniel Bentley returned on Saturday following a groin strain and midfielder Will Atkinson was back on the bench after a shoulder injury.

Southend are unbeaten in their last four and can climb to within four points of leaders Burton with victory.

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Burton v Southend preview

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Burton winger Jimmy Phillips could be in line to make his comeback from injury.

Phillips is nearing the end of a five month lay-off with a broken metatarsal and could have some involvement.

Manager Gary Rowett says the 23-year-old will return to the field stronger than he was last season.

“Being out for five months, he’s had plenty of time to work in the gym and he’s changed shape a bit,” he told the Derby Telegraph. “He’s a bit bulkier, which will help him.”

Goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson looks on course to be available again in the new year after a ruptured knee ligament injury.

But the experienced stopper faces a new battle in winning the jersey back from Dean Lyness who is expected to continue between the posts.

Britt Assombalonga faces a battle to be fit for Southend.

The 12-goal striker, on loan from Watford until the end of the season, sustained a nasty ankle injury which forced him off towards the end of the impressive 3-0 win at Dagenham on Boxing Day.

Assombalonga will now receive treatment and be given every chance of being fit for the Pirelli Stadium clash.

Skipper Chris Barker recovered from an ankle knock of his own to start against Dagenham, meaning manager Paul Sturrock was able to again name an unchanged starting XI.

However, Sturrock has not ruled out rotating his squad as they prepare for a further two games in four days, with the fourth-placed Shrimpers – unbeaten in 14 matches – at home to leaders Gillingham on New Year’s Day.

Burton v Southend preview

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Burton captain John McGrath is an injury concern ahead of the match.

McGrath was forced off with an ankle problem towards the end of the defeat to Swindon in midweek and the midfielder will be assessed.

Defender Aaron Webster (hamstring), midfielder Jacques Maghoma (hamstring) and striker Calvin Zola (calf) missed out at the County Ground on Tuesday night but boss Paul Peschisolido hopes to be able to include the trio in his squad.

Billy Kee broke down again during the defeat at Cheltenham last weekend and the 12-goal striker has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with the groin problem that has plagued him since November.

Defender Patrick Ada comes back into the reckoning after serving a one-match suspension.

Meanwhile, Southend manager Paul Sturrock is keeping his cards close to his chest as to whether Liam Dickinson, Kane Ferdinand, Ryan Hall or Bilel Mohsni will be involved in the trip to Burton.

Dickinson, Ferdinand and Hall breached club discipline procedures in the team hotel the night before last Saturday’s defeat at Morecambe – something Sturrock was not made aware of until after the loss.

All three were banished to the reserves in midweek although it remains to be seen whether that will be their only punishment.

Sturrock was also coy when questioned about the future of mercurial winger Mohsni, who again attracted the headlines for all the wrong reasons at the Globe Arena having requested to be substituted before getting involved in a row with a home supporter and later storming out of the ground and taking the the train home.

It is far from the first time this season Mohsni’s antics have been brought into question and Sturrock is set to make an announcement on his future at the Essex club.

Further to that, first-choice goalkeeper Glenn Morris (thigh) and midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala (knee) have both been ruled out. Loan signing Lee Hills is in contention to make his debut while striker Neil Harris is expected to have overcome a dead leg.