Burton v Barnet preview

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Ian Sharps is set to make his Burton debut.

The experienced central defender has joined the Brewers on loan from Rotherham until the end of the season, putting Nathan Stanton and Zander Diamond’s partnership in the heart of the defence under threat.

Midfielder Lee Bell and top scorer Calvin Zola both passed late fitness tests to start the 1-0 away defeat against Northampton last weekend and will keep their places in manager Gary Rowett’s first XI.

The promotion hopefuls will be glad to be back in front of their home fans after their loss against the Cobblers stretched their losing streak on the road to four games.

Rowett’s men have won all of their last three home games but will have their 3-2 defeat to the Bees in December fresh in the memory as they seek to avoid complacency against Edgar Davids’ resurgent side.

Harry Crawford could be handed his Barnet debut.

The 21-year-old striker has signed a three-year deal with the Bees after scoring 12 goals for Dartford in the Conference this season.

Fellow forward Jamal Lowe may also be involved after returning from a loan spell with Hayes & Yeading.

The Bees are still without four other strikers as Jon Nurse completes a three-match ban for his red card against Aldershot on New Year’s Day while Steve Kabba (knee), Collins John (hernia) and Ishmail Kamara (shoulder) are injured.

On-loan Stevenage defender Andy Iro was a doubt for last week’s visit of Fleetwood after he was taken to hospital with a head injury at Rotherham, but the postponement has given him extra time to recover.

Burton v Barnet preview

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Burton are boosted by the return of a trio of players from suspension.

Central defenders Darren Moore and Tom Parkes missed the midweek match against Macclesfield following red cards in the previous game at Hereford, along with midfielder John McGrath who completed a two-match ban against the Silkmen.

All three will be pushing for starts against the team immediately below 22nd-placed Albion in the table, while on-loan left-back Scott Malone will also return to contention following a hamstring problem.

However, Russell Penn remains unavailable as the midfielder serves the second game of his two-match suspension after collecting his 10th yellow card of the season against Hereford on Sunday.

Nathan Stanton was on the bench as emergency cover on Wednesday night despite not having fully recovered from the groin injury that has ruled him out for the past month, while doubts still also surround the fitness of fellow defender Paul Boertien (groin).

Loan duo Anthony Pulis and Jude Stirling have been ruled out for Barnet.

Southampton midfielder Pulis suffered an Achilles injury in the warm-up prior to last weekend’s draw against Chesterfield and will be out for around three weeks.

MK Dons defender Stirling, who made his debut in that match, has suffered a calf strain and faces a similar spell on the sidelines.

The Bees are also without defenders Anwar Uddin (ankle) and Darren Dennehy, forward Ricky Holmes (both foot) and goalkeepers Jake Cole (knee) and Liam O’Brien (finger).

But Matty Parsons returns from suspension and has extended his loan spell from Crystal Palace, while fellow defender Daniel Leach played for the reserves this week after six months out with a foot injury.