WITH just one pre-season game to go tonight Nigel Clough hopes to have the vast majority of his squad fit for Saturday’s League One opener at home to Ipswich.
A Brewers XI travel to Nuneaton this evening with first year pros Nathan Morley, Ethan Vale and Ben Hart likely to be joined by Joe Sbarra, Reece Hutchinson and Jevan Anderson in a youthful squad.
Triallist Phillip Brown is also expected to get another chance to impress.
Everyone else is now likely to be looking towards Ipswich.
Richard Nartey will not be risked tonight but Clough hopes that the on-loan defender will be ready for Ipswich on Saturday after shaking off his injury.
Clough said: “He’s down to train on Wednesday and will stay with Nick Fenton until then. If he gets a good training session under his belt he will be in contention.”
As we stand, Clough will only be without David Templeton and Ben Fox for the season opener.
Templeton will be out for “several weeks” with Fox targeting a March return from his ACL injury.
Clough said: “Ben’s operation went very well. He can’t do anything for a while now but in some ways that’s the worst bit out of the way.
“It’s gone as well as it could have done so we are still looking at March next year. His long road begins now."
MONDAY, JULY 29 - BURTON ALBION XI
Nuneaton Borough (A - 7.30PM)
ADDRESS: Liberty Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 6RR
PRICES (all pay-on-the-day):
Adults: £10.00
Concessions (Over 60 & NUS): £8.00
Under 16s: £3.00