Pre match build up
Burton Albion return to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday to take on Oxford United hoping to build on from last week’s 1-0 win against Rochdale.Â
An ankle injury picked up eight minutes into the win at Spotland last week will keep Chris Palmer out. An x-ray on the injury has ruled out a break but a further scan may be required to determine the extent of the damage.Â
John McGrath and Jimmy Phillips remain unavailable, with both players targeting a return to training in October.
The Brewers will be boosted by welcoming back Billy Kee who returns from international duty with the Northern Ireland Under-21 side but Gary Rowett may decide to continue with the strike partnership of Matthew Paterson and Calvin Zola after an encouraging performance last week.
They will also be buoyed by the news that full back Anthony O’Connor has extended his loan from Championship side Blackburn Rovers until January.
Both meetings between Burton and Oxford last season ended in draws, with the match ending 2-2 at the Kassam Stadium thanks to a brace from Justin Richards and 1-1 later in the season at the Pirelli with Alfie Potter cancelling out Adam Bolder’s opener.
The visitors led by Chris Wilder currently sit in the play-off places with nine points from their opening five games.
Afull interview with Gary Rowett is available now on Brewers Player.