Oldham V Doncaster at Boundary Park : Match Preview

23 December 2012 16:31
Oldham V Doncaster - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Simpson sits it out

Oldham will be without Robbie Simpson when Doncaster visit Boundary Park in npower League One.

Simpson was introduced as a second-half substitute with Latics 2-1 down at Yeovil on Saturday but matters unravelled in the closing minutes as he received a straight red card for a late lunge on goalkeeper Marek Stech and the Glovers added two more to their tally.

Matt Smith is set to keep his place alongside weekend goalscorer Jose Baxter in attack as Simpson begins a three-match ban, while the central-midfield roles he has occupied at times this season are expected to remain with James Wesolowski and captain Dean Furman.

Cliff Byrne lined up in defence at Huish Park after overcoming a back problem, while goalkeeper Alex Cisak recovered from a head injury to take his place among the substitutes.

Boxing Day sees the third meeting in the space of a month between Oldham and Doncaster after Rovers won the corresponding fixture at the Keepmoat Stadium 1-0 and Paul Dickov's men gained their revenge 3-1 at home in the second round of the FA Cup.

Midfield pair Martin Woods and Dave Syers are set to return to Doncaster's team.

The duo were rated 50/50 to face MK Dons on Saturday but have had extra time to recover from injury after the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Woods had been struggling with a thigh injury, while Syers had missed three games with an ankle problem, but both are set to come back in.

Woods' return puts Kyle Bennett's place in jeopardy, with the former Wolves trainee struggling to recapture his early-season form.

Leading scorer Dave Cotterill is likely to have overcome his stomach bug in time for the game at Boundary Park.

Rovers are without a win in four games.


Source: PA