JOHN-Joe O’Toole and Stephen Quinn are likely to feature in the Brewers line-up to face Derby County in the Bass Vase tomorrow (kick off 3pm).
Neither player has featured in the two pre-season games so far due to having niggles picked up in training, but Albion manager Nigel Clough has said that their omission from the squad against Matlock Town and Sheffield United was only “precautionary”.
Joe Sbarra, however, is likely to miss out tomorrow and Kieran Wallace may also be rested.
Clough said: “John-Joe and Stephen are likely to be fit, and we hope they will play some part on Saturday but Joe has a tight hamstring and may need a little breather and we will see how Kieran Wallace is.”
Stephen Bywater also has a slight injury, but Clough says his absence is also precautionary and that Kieran O’Hara will continue in goal.
Clough said: “Stephen joined in a practice match this week even though he has missed a week or so but he was just brilliant. His distribution was good and his talking. When you get to his age and he’s fit as he is, he doesn’t need four or five pre-season games. He will be there if we need him.”
Clough is pleased with his team’s fitness as they build towards August 3.
He said: “Most of the lads played 75 minutes or upwards on Tuesday against a very good Sheffield team. They were chasing the ball at times and that has to be good for the fitness.”