Accrington v Northampton preview

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Accrington have Adam Buxton available for Northampton’s visit to the Store First Stadium.

The on-loan Wigan defender came off at half-time in the win over Exeter last weekend but the rib injury he sustained will not force him to miss out this time around.

However, Stanley remain without both defender Laurence Wilson and striker Marcus Carver.

Boss James Beattie has exercised caution on Wilson, who wanted to return to training following a groin problem, and thinks he will be another week away from full fitness. Carver, meanwhile, has ruptured his medial ligament in his knee.

Northampton will continue without Joe Widdowson when they face Accrington but Gregor Robertson is set to return.

Widdowson is making slow progress as he overcomes the ankle problem which has forced him to miss the last nine games but Robertson should come back into the squad after sitting out the heavy defeat by Bury through illness.

Kelvin Langmead (knee) made his comeback from an 11-month lay-off in a reserve game in midweek, while Alex Nicholls is back in light training as he makes his way back from a double leg fracture in October 2012.

The Cobblers are three points from safety after a run of five games without a win.

Accrington v Northampton preview

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On-loan Rotherham midfielder Danny Schofield is set to be available for the visit of the Cobblers.

Schofield has stepped up his return to training this week following an injury absence and, although Tuesday night’s goalless derby draw at Morecambe came too soon for him, the 32-year-old should be fit to face the Cobblers.

Stanley’s sizeable loan contingent could work against Schofield, with one of himself, defender Rob Atkinson, Watford midfield duo Matt Whichelow and Piero Mingoia and strikers Karl Sheppard and Jack Sampson required to miss out on the matchday 18 under Football League rules.

Reds boss Leam Richardson has no other injury worries but is not taking the situation for granted.

Players involved in the FA Cup win at AFC Fylde and again in midweek have been given a relatively light training load as a precaution in recent days.

Northampton defender John Johnson will be given a chance to prove his fitness ahead of the weekend tie.

The full-back is one of a handful of players nursing “bumps and bruises” following the midweek draw at York. Johnson came off just before half-time with a knee problem on Tuesday night.

“I want to give John Johnson another 24 hours so we will assess his knee again on Friday before we travel to see how it is,” said manager Aidy Boothroyd. “I don’t think it is anything too serious but obviously we want to make sure he is 100% right and that we don’t risk him doing any further damage.

“Other than that, we have got a few bumps and bruises like normal but nothing too serious.”

Forward Louis Moult begins a three-match ban following his dismissal against the Minstermen.

Ben Harding is making good progress in his recovery from an ankle injury and Boothroyd expects the midfielder to be back in training with the rest of the squad next week.

Accrington v Northampton preview

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Bobby Grant is poised to make his second debut for Accrington.

Grant rejoined Stanley on a one-month emergency loan from Scunthorpe on Thursday having scored 19 goals in 77 appearances for the club before moving to Glanford Park in summer 2010.

Elsewhere, Paul Cook still has a raft of injury problems to deal with as he searches for his first win since replacing John Coleman as manager six games ago.

Right-back Danny Coid remains on the sidelines with an ankle problem sustained during the 2-2 draw with Port Vale earlier this month, while on-loan Charlton striker Michael Smith returned to his parent club earlier this week after a knee injury ruled him out for the season.

Ian Craney (ankle) could return in midfield, where veteran playmaker Michael Hughes is still absent with a hamstring complaint. In defence, captain Dean Winnard (ankle), Sean Hessey (hamstring) and Ian Burton (hernia) are all out.

Meanwhile, Northampton manager Aidy Boothroyd will be able to call upon new signing Anthony Charles.

Charles this week signed a short-term deal until the end of the season but the defender was not registered in time to feature against Dagenham on Tuesday night.

Boothroyd named an unchanged team in London so he is likely to freshen things up at the weekend.

Defender Byron Webster and forwards Lewis Young, Jake Robinson and Brett Williams are among the options available to the Cobblers boss.

Northampton recorded a third straight win at Dagenham and Boothroyd said: “We want to finish the season as strongly as we can and make sure we are out of any trouble, but we are not out of it yet. On Saturday we want to continue the form we are in.

“We are not going to get excited with 19th place. It is a little bit embarrassing to be excited with 19th, and I’m not being big time but I don’t want to be 19th. I want to be further up the table.”

Accrington v Northampton preview

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Terry Gornell is expected to continue in attack for Accrington as they look to continue their play-off push.

The striker was initially a doubt for the Hereford match but scored twice in a 4-0 victory which moved Stanley to within three points of the top seven.

With John Coleman likely to stick with the same side that cruised to victory against the Bulls, Rory Boulding will have to be content with a place on the bench.

He scored in a 1-1 draw at Aldershot when Gornell was out injured after he had stitches in a knee wound, but failed to retain his place in the side.

Coleman’s side have not lost in five matches and are unbeaten at home since January 18.

However, they were held to a goalless draw at Sixfields on their first away trip of the season.

Northampton midfielder Ryan Gilligan will miss the trip.

Gilligan has had surgery on an long-standing ankle problem and is sidelined for the rest of the season as manager Gary Johnson searches for his first win in charge.

Defender Dean Beckwith was back on the bench for last Friday’s 2-2 draw with Torquay after a groin injury and will be involved again, while captain Andy Holt remains on the sidelines with a muscle problem.

Striker Billy McKay is out for another month after dislocating his elbow while fellow forward Leon McKenzie (knee) is back in training and could travel with the squad.

Guillem Bauza will continue alongside Shaun Harrad in attack after he scored his first goal for the club to claim a point against Torquay, while new signing Michael Uwezu may be on the bench for the first time.