Aldershot v Accrington preview

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Aldershot are without Danny Hylton as they look to continue their revival in form.

Dean Holdsworth’s side have lost just two of their last 10 matches in all competitions and reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history with a 3-1 win against Rotherham last weekend.

But the Shots return to league action without hat-trick hero Hylton, who received a straight red-card after completing his treble against the Millers.

The striker is sidelined for three games and is expected to be replaced by Dani Lopez, who was cup-tied at the weekend after appearing for parent club Stevenage in an earlier round.

Holdsworth signed midfielder Anthony McNamee on a short-term deal on Thursday and he will go straight into the squad.

Namibia international midfielder Oliver Risser could make his debut after signing for the club earlier in the week, following his release from Swindon.

Accrington striker Padraig Amond is an injury doubt for the trip.

Amond hobbled off shortly before half-time during last week’s defeat to Dagenham and is suffering with a groin problem.

One man who will be involved up front for Stanley is former England striker James Beattie, who this week extended his player coach deal at the Crown Ground until the end of the season.

Boss Leam Richardson has no other injury worries but faces concerns over the goalkeeping position.

Youth team rookie Andrew Dawber could be handed a first league start between the posts after Cameron Belford returned to Bury at the end of his emergency loan spell. Regular number one Ian Dunbavin (shoulder) is sidelined for the rest of the season.

Richardson could look to bring Paul Rachubka back from Leeds for a second loan spell but now faces a race against time.

Aldershot v Accrington preview

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Shots manager Dean Holdsworth will consider handing full debuts to Charlie Collins and Josh Payne as he continues his search for a winning formula at home to Accrington.

Striker Collins and midfielder Payne arrived on loan late last week, with the former a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Cheltenham.

And Holdsworth may consider throwing the pair in from the off this time around as he looks to turn around a run of form which has seen the Shots collect just one point from the last 15 on offer, failing to find the net in any of those five games.

Holdsworth has been hit by injury problems, with striker Michael Rankine (leg) and midfielder Alex Rodman (viral infection) – who had both missed the last two games – are now set to sit out for the rest of the season.

Centre-back Chris Doig, however, has overcome a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile, Michael Smith and Liam Willis are in contention to make their Accrington debuts on Saturday.

On-loan Charlton striker Smith and former Wigan defender Willis joined the Reds earlier in the week.

Manager John Coleman has no new injury concerns for the clash.

Alan Burton remains a long-term injury absentee as he recovers from hernia surgery and Sean Hessey is still on the sidelines due to a hamstring problem.

On-loan Everton defender Aristote Nsiala overcame concussion to take part in the 3-0 defeat to Barnet last weekend and suffered no ill-effects.

Accrington have had to endure a week of speculation off the field with Coleman linked to the current vacancy at League One Rochdale, although the club confirmed no formal approach has been made for their manager.

Aldershot v Accrington preview

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Damian Spencer could be handed his first Aldershot start in five months.

The former Cheltenham striker has been out with a knee injury but came on to score the winner against Stockport last weekend, and was a half-time substitute in the win over Barnet in midweek.

Alex Rodman made his comeback from a calf injury last weekend and is expected to start.

Fellow winger Jermaine McGlashan is struggling with an ongoing shin splints problem but is available, while youth-team graduate Adam Mekki will be included in the squad again.

Forward Jack Randall broke his leg while on loan at Didcot Town recently and is a long-term absentee.

Veteran left-back Jamie Vincent has left due to a lack of first-team opportunities.

Accrington manager John Coleman has an injury worry over Terry Gornell.

The 21-year-old forward had to be stretchered off during Tuesday night’s goalless draw with Crewe after suffering a wound in his knee which later required six stitches.

The injury is likely to need more time to heal, so Rory Boulding could step up from the bench to occupy a starting berth against the Shots.

Defender Leam Richardson will miss out again with a groin problem that has seen him sidelined for the last nine matches, and he is not expected to return for at least another fortnight.

Coleman has no other injury or suspension problems to worry about, although he will have to decide whether Charlie Bennett deserves a starting place following two substitute appearances on his return from an ankle problem.