Burton v Accrington preview

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Adam McGurk is expected to return to the Burton squad when the league leaders host Accrington.

McGurk missed the last-gasp 1-0 win at Hartlepool with a tight hamstring but should boost Brewers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s options in attack.

Florent Cuvelier, the match-winner at Victoria Park, was taken off as a precaution immediately after his goal after complaining of a hamstring problem but the on-loan Sheffield United midfielder should be available to make his home debut.

Kelvin Maynard is returning to fitness after hip and calf problems but fellow defender Stefan Maletic continues to be hampered by a niggling hamstring issue.

New Accrington signing Lloyd Jones goes straight into their squad.

The on-loan Liverpool defender, who has also been with Cheltenham this season, agreed terms on a one-month switch to Stanley and bolsters a back five which has been without Adam Buxton (hamstring and illness) and Nicky Hunt (groin) in recent weeks.

Both Buxton and Hunt were back in full training last week and, while last Saturday’s clash with Portsmouth came too soon for them, they have a better chance of being involved this time around.

Midfielder Anthony Barry begins a three-match suspension following his red card in the draw against Pompey.

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Burton v Accrington preview

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Burton are expected to have an unchanged squad for Accrington’s visit to the Pirelli Stadium.

Michael Symes was the only injury absentee at Torquay on Tuesday night and a knee problem will keep the striker on the sidelines again at the weekend.

Albion boss Gary Rowett has options as he seeks a first win in five league matches.

Midfielders Lee Bell, Alex MacDonald and Jimmy Phillips, forwards Billy Kee and Dominic Knowles and defender Marcus Holness all began on the bench against the Gulls and will be hoping for recalls to the starting line-up.

Laurence Wilson will complete a three-game suspension for Accrington as they look to get back to winning ways away at Burton.

The defender has been absent since picking up a red card in Stanley’s 0-0 draw with Bury so Michael Liddle is likely to slot in at the back again.

Striker Danny Webber has missed each of Stanley’s last two games due to illness and Accrington will see how he is feeling nearer the time.

James Beattie’s men will be looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

Burton v Accrington preview

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Captain Zander Diamond will return to the Burton team.

Despite keeping a clean sheet in the FA Cup win over Crewe last weekend, a defensive change is inevitable in order to accommodate Diamond who was suspended for the second-round tie at Gresty Road.

Fellow centre-half Nathan Stanton is also available again after returning to training following the bout of sickness that forced him to miss out against Alex.

Billy Kee may have forced his way back into the starting line-up after a goal and an impressive performance in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Tuesday.

The striker’s goal failed to spare Burton defeat against non-league Hednesford Town at Keys Park but his display caught the eye.

Albion boss Gary Rowett said: “I wasn’t at the game but (assistant manager) Kevin Summerfield has come back with a very good report about Billy’s performance.”

Kee had to settle for a place on the bench against Crewe as Rowett opted to play Calvin Zola as a lone striker.

But Rowett is expected to revert to a 4-4-2 formation at home, which could open the door for Kee to return to the side.

Accrington will be without defender Dean Winnard for the game.

Winnard collected his fifth yellow card of the season during last weekend’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Oxford in the second round of the FA Cup and must serve a one-match ban.

Goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin is expected to be out for the rest of the season having undergone shoulder surgery on Thursday.

His place will once again be filled by Paul Rachubka after Stanley extended his emergency loan from Leeds by a further week – an arrangement necessary under Football League rules outside of the loan window.

A lengthier deal is expected to be sought for the former Manchester United keeper in the new year.

On-loan Rotherham midfielder Danny Schofield is available once more having been ineligible for cup action.

Burton v Accrington preview

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Leading scorer Billy Kee is an injury doubt for Burton ahead of the home fixture.

Kee failed to reappear for the second half of the home defeat by Hereford on Bank Holiday Monday because of a recurrence of a groin problem.

The 12-goal striker had complained of soreness after the 2-2 draw at Morecambe on New Year’s Eve but declared himself fit to face the Bulls.

Kee will continue to be monitored, with Justin Richards likely to be recalled to partner Calvin Zola in attack should he not make it.

With Kevin Amankwaah no longer at the club and Andy Corbett suspended following his red card against Hereford, Albion boss Paul Peschisolido has brought in West Ham teenager Callum Driver on loan and he is expected to make his debut at right-back on Friday night.

Tony James is unlikely to recover from the groin injury that has kept him out recently, while it remains to be seen whether fellow centre-half Nathan Stanton can shake off a shoulder problem.

Midfielder Luke Joyce is back in contention for Accrington.

Joyce served the final game of a three-game ban as Stanley thrashed Macclesfield 4-0 on Monday following his dismissal in December’s victory over Torquay.

However, Joyce may struggle to win an immediate return to a team that have extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in his absence.

John Coleman can no longer call upon the services of Kevin Long and Will Hatfield after the on-loan duo returned to parent clubs Burnley and Leeds.

Defender Ian Burton remains on the sidelines as he recuperates from a double hernia operation.

Accrington’s recent purple patch has taken them to within four points of the League Two play-off places.

Burton v Accrington preview

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Jacques Maghoma is suspended for Burton.

The midfielder was sent off in the closing stages of the game at Southend last weekend for making a gesture and using foul and abusive language towards the home crowd.

Albion boss Paul Peschisolido said: “Jacques was stupid. He got involved and it was just naivety on his part. I was getting abused as well but you just can’t react.

“They wind you up and in the end they win because he’s got sent off and he’s the one who’ll get punished for it with a ban.”

Adam Bolder or Jimmy Phillips could replace Maghoma, while Tom Parkes, Sam Winnall and Richard Walker are also among those players pushing for recalls.

Accrington defender Sean Hessey will be available.

Hessey came off at half-time of the 3-1 win over Barnet last weekend struggling with illness, but has regained full fitness and should take up his starting place.

On-loan Burnley defender Kevin Long replaced Hessey to make his first appearance since early April after being out with a broken toe and would have been hoping for a start but with Hessey recovered, he is likely to remain among the substitutes.

Stanley boss John Coleman will resist the temptation to rest some of his key players despite securing a fifth-placed finish in League Two as he seeks to continue the momentum, built by an unbeaten run of 12 games, into the play-offs.

James Ryan, who has this week been linked with a move to La Liga side Real Zaragoza, will again be the main threat from midfield and will be looking to add to his goal tally after his hat-trick against the Bees.