Jordan Storey is set to return to the squad for Wednesday’s next challenge in our chase for a play-off place … tomorrow’s tough-looking test at Bolton.
The central defender missed last Saturday’s home win over AFC Wimbledon for personal reasons but has been back training with the squad this week in preparation for the Bolton trip.
Liam Palmer could also be back in the 18 after his recent injury but Sylla Sow is ruled out after taking a knock in training.
Darren Moore, who might be tempted to start with either Saido Berahino or Callum Paterson rather than Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, said today: “I can’t stop all the outside noise about the play-offs. What I have always maintained is we focus on the next game and the opportunity of securing three points.
“We are in the top six and the challenge for us all is to solidify our place.“
He added: “Mentally and physically the players are in a good place. Long may that continue. They all keep pushing each other, which is what we want.
“When we play our free-flowing football, you have seen our quality.”
We will be backed by a sellout 5,000-plus travelling Wednesday crowd and, with six games remaining, we sit in fifth place on 72 points, with sixth-placed Wycombe behind us only on goal difference but we also have a game in hand on them.
Sunderland are in seventh on 70 points from 40 matches with Oxford one point and one place further behind, again having played one more game than us, and the two sides meet at Oxford tomorrow.
Plymouth sit immediately above us on 77 points but we also have a game in hand on them.
While we go to Bolton, Wycombe are away to Gillingham, Sunderland face that big clash at Oxford and Plymouth visit Burton.
In the top three, leaders Wigan (83 points from 39 games) make the trip to Lincoln, second-placed MK Dons (82 from 41) travel to AFC Wimbledon and Rotherham in third (80 from 39) entertain Charlton.