BURTON Albion’s first team squad has come through a busy Christmas period with only a few minor knocks and Nigel Clough will look to field a strong team at Birmingham on Saturday.
The Brewers travel to St Andrew’s for the FA Cup Third Round clash and Clough should have everyone fit for selection with the exception of long-term injured Liam Boyce.
He said: “There are a few carrying knocks from the Christmas period but generally the squad looks OK. John Brayford and Ben Turner might not train today but everyone else will. To get through the period we have without any injuries is testament to the work done fitness-wise by Nick Fenton and Chris Beardsley.”
Clough says that all his squad are eager for the next game, despite the energy-draining programme of fixtures.
He said: “When you are winning games they all want to get out there. We will see how they are in the next few days after training.
“When teams are losing, people say they don’t look fit enough but when they are winning you see that confidence and you see that extra yard even when you are tired. When you are hanging on to a lead you get that little bit extra.
“Tom Naylor looked a bit leggy to what he had been on Monday but then he pops up in the last minute to put one in from the six yard box. For a central midfielder to get three in four over Christmas that’s that extra you get from confidence. It saps your energy when you are losing.”