Accrington v Bristol R preview

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Leam Richardson will begin his second spell in caretaker charge of Accrington following Paul Cook’s departure to Chesterfield.

Richardson stepped into the breach when John Coleman left the Crown Ground to move to Rochdale last season and Cook’s unveiling as the new Spireites boss on Friday leaves him in the same position.

The former Stanley defender took training on Thursday as Cook agreed personal terms with his new employers.

Richardson has no new injury worries, with midfielder Charlie Barnett the only absentee as he steps up rehabilitation from an ankle problem.

The Reds were beaten 5-1 by Rovers at the end of last season – a defeat fresh in the mind of striker Padraig Amond.

He said: “We kind of owe them one, but it’s not a game for revenge or anything like that. We want to get ourselves back on track.”

Bristol Rovers’ defensive crisis has deepened with Tom Parkes and Adam Virgo ruled out and Garry Kenneth also a doubt.

Parkes will serve a suspension for his red card at AFC Wimbledon, while former Celtic defender Virgo, who also played as a striker on Tuesday, has a knee injury.

Kenneth limped off at the end of that 3-1 defeat with a knock on his knee and manager Mark McGhee will be hoping his fellow Scot does not need to join defenders Danny Woodards, Cian Bolger and Michael Smith on the ever-growing injury list.

Scott Bevan, Matt Gill, Matt Harrold, Shaquille Hunter and Derek Riordan are also unavailable. Winger Fabian Broghammer could return after concussion.

Accrington v Bristol R preview

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New signings Micah Evans and Bryan Hughes are poised to make their Accrington debuts.

Evans, 18, signed on a one-month loan deal from Blackburn this week and could feature in the Stanley attack from the start.

Veteran midfielder Hughes has received international clearance after delays with the paperwork prevented him from playing any part in the 1-1 draw at Crawley last weekend.

Sean Hessey received a painkilling injection this week but hamstring and hip problems rule him out of contention.

Tom Bender has stepped up his recovery from the sickening head injury he suffered in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie with Tranmere. The 18-year-old defender has been cleared by a neurologist to start heading a ball again, meaning he is likely to be available for selection in the coming weeks.

There is also positive news for broken-leg victim Ian Craney who has had his cast removed.

Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers defender Adam Virgo will miss the clash after being ruled out for the rest of the season.

The summer acquisition from Yeovil has sustained serious knee ligament damage and is unlikely to feature again for the Pirates in 2011/12.

However, manager Paul Buckle has been buoyed by the return of striker Chris Zebroski from suspension after he missed the win against Dagenham last week due to a one-match ban picked up after accumulating five yellow cards.

And Buckle has put his differences with midfielder Stuart Campbell behind him and included the 33-year-old in his matchday squad after illness.

Campbell, Buckle and chairman Nick Higgs participated in a very public war of words during the past week regarding the player’s contractual situation, but after clear-the-air talks on Wednesday, all the parties concerned have agreed on a way forward.

Midfielder Wayne Brown remains a long-term absentee for Rovers with an ankle problem.