NIGEL Clough will welcome John-Joe O’Toole back to his squad for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie on Sunday.
The Brewers take on Northampton Town (kick off 2.01pm) and after completing a six-game ban the defender is available to play against his former club.
The Brewers manager said: “Six games is a lot, but it could have been much longer in time if it hadn’t been for the Christmas period. At least it was all done in a short space of time.
“But he’s back in the squad, which is what we need, players fit and available. Six games is a long time to be out, so we will see how he is in training and assess Jake Buxton and Richard Nartey. John-Joe can play other positions as well, so we don’t rule him out of that.”
The Brewers could still be without Kieran Wallace (illness), Jevan Anderson and Nathan Broadhead (injury).
Clough said: “I don’t think Nathan Broadhead will quite make it and Jevan is still out with a thigh strain.
“Kieran is recovering but it’s just time and how he feels. We will assess him on Saturday.
“It was good that at Bolton Liam Boyce had a bit of a rest after being battered around over the three previous games, but he comes on and gets himself a goal. Stephen Quinn did half an hour as well and it was brilliant to get through the game without risking those two.”
Clough expects Northampton to arrive at the Pirelli full of confidence.
He said: “They are probably the form team in League Two over the last 10 or 12 games. They have gone from bottom six to top six and will be confident about what they are doing at the moment. We will be taking nothing for granted, Keith Curle was a teammate at Manchester City and one thing he is is competitive and his team will be as well.”