BURTON Albion are back in Sky Bet Championship action this afternoon against Cardiff City. It's their first league match since May 7 when they were defeated by Reading.
Cardiff City have recruited well this summer, bringing in seven fresh faces. New arrivals include two new goalkeepers in Lee Camp and Neil Etheridge, Scottish defender Callum Paterson, midfielder Loic Damour and attacking trio Danny Ward, Lee Tomlin and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
The Bluebirds have played six pre- season games, winning all but one where they were beaten by 2-1 by Shrewsbury Town. Their have turned over Taffs Well, AFC Tavistock, Bodmin Town, Plymouth Argyle and Livingston.
Rhys Healey, Lee Camp, Callum Paterson have all been ruled out for Neil Warnock's men, whilst Liam Boyce will miss the rest of the season for Burton Albion, and Nigel Clough will be without the suspended Ben Turner for the first five games.
The Brewers boss believes that Cardiff will be one of the stronger teams in the league.
He said: "I think Cardiff have a realistic chance of pushing for promotion. Neil Warnock said at times last season that it wouldn't take much for them to be there and thereabouts.
"His record of winning promotions is exceptional and coming back here, he will want to get off to a good start. It's a long hard season but we all know the confidence you get from a good start."
Also from the Brewers camp, new signing Matty Lund, signed from Rochdale this summer, said ahead of the game: "I can't wait, it's something I've been looking forward to for a long time.
"It's a big honour for me to play in this league. It'll be a big day for myself, friends and family. It will definitely be up there for me in my career, it's a big achievement and I've got to prove I can play at this level."
Tickets for this fixture are still on sale from just £7.00 and can be purchased online, over the phone (01283 565938) or in person by visiting the club shop during opening hours.
Cardiff City supporters should be reminded that their away allocation has SOLD OUT, and that no tickets are available to travelling fans.
All pre-purchased tickets can be collected from the club shop next door to the main reception on non matchdays and on matchdays from the ticket collection windows outside of the club shop. ID with proof of address will be required when collecting tickets.
Albion fans will be able to use Eton Park Junior School for matchday parking this season. The school car park will be manned from 6.30pm-10pm for evening games and 1.45pm-5.15pm for Saturdays.
It will cost £4 per car. The funds raised will support Eton Park PTA, and will benefit the children at the school.
All cars are parked at the owner's risk. There will be no toilet facilities on site and no access to the school. The address for the car park is Masefield Cresent, Burton-on-Trent DE14 2SG.