Accrington Stanley V Northampton at Crowne Ground : Match Preview

09 November 2012 14:01
Accrington Stanley V Northampton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Schofield set for Stanley start

On-loan Rotherham midfielder Danny Schofield is set to be available when Accrington host Northampton in npower League Two.

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 Town's trip.

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.

Source: PA