Exeter v Stevenage preview

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Exeter will wait on the fitness of left-back Jamie McAllister before their clash with fellow play-off hopefuls Stevenage.

The former Yeovil man sat out Saturday’s 3-2 win over AFC Wimbledon with a hamstring injury, opening the door for teenager Connor Riley-Lowe to make just his second start for the Grecians, with the youngster likely to deputise again if McAllister is not passed fit.

Fellow left-back Craig Woodman looks set to miss out again while David Wheeler, who stepped off the bench to score the winner, will be pushing for a start.

Back-to-back wins have seen City edge to within six points of the play-off spots and opponents Boro.

Stevenage have suffered no new injuries for a change following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Cambridge.

However, they were without Simon Walton and Chris Beardsley, who dropped out of the squad with knocks to join Chris Whelpdale (groin) and Roarie Deacon (ankle) on the sick list.

Calvin Zola (hamstring), Darius Charles (broken leg), Adam Marriott (knee) and David McAllister (groin) are still absent.

But Harry Worley is back in full training following his long-term knee injury, although he remains some way from returning to action.

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Exeter v Stevenage preview

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New loan signing Jamie Cureton will go straight into the Exeter squad.

Cureton has re-signed for the club for whom he scored 20 goals last season on a deal until the end of the season from Leyton Orient.

The striker will have to oust Daniel Nardiello from Paul Tisdale’s side, however, if he is to start at St James’ Park.

Otherwise, Tisdale has been boosted by the return to fitness of full-back Steve Tully.

The veteran defender has not played for the Grecians since the 2-1 defeat at Notts County on February 14 because of a hand injury, but he is fit and available to face Boro this weekend.

Stevenage hope Jon Ashton will be fit.

Ashton was left out of the squad against Huddersfield on Tuesday night following a clash of heads with Boro skipper Mark Roberts in the defeat to Charlton last weekend.

Darius Charles deputised in defence but Ashton is likely to resume his partnership with Roberts if he has sufficiently recovered.

Chris Beardsley also missed out against the Terriers after suffering a hamstring injury at The Valley.

The loan signing of Jordan Slew from Blackburn on Friday would suggest that Boro’s leading scorer is unlikely to be fit for the game against the Grecians.

England Under-19 international Slew will go straight into Gary Smith’s squad.