Npower League 2 Preview by Mitch Reece

 npower League 2 Preview

Saturday’s fixtures see league leaders Chesterfield take a trip to mid table Crewe and second place Bury travel  North-east to promotion Hopeful’s Rotherham Utd. Also rock-bottom Stockport are looking to lift themselves of the bottom when they play hosts to fellow league 2 strugglers Burton Albion.

Cheltenham   v   Aldershot(15:00) :

Cheltenham are looking to bounce back after last week’s dropped points against top of the table Chesterfield ,whilst Aldershot are coming into this game following a impressive 1-0 win over playoff contenders Torquay. This Mid-table clash,  that will take place at Whaddon Road, see’s Keith Lowe and Midfielder David Birch available for selection after both returning from injury. Midfielders Albert Jarrett (illness) and Alex Rodman (calf) will both miss out from this Saturday’s game.

Crewe  v  Chesterfield(15:00):

High Flyers Chesterfield are looking to extend their lead at the top when they travel to Crewe on Saturday. The team in their way is coming into this game after a disappointing mid week loss to relegation battlers Macclesfield Town. Chesterfield may have to play crew without fellow midfielder Derek Niven, who has a head injury. Crewe Alexandra full-back Matt Tootle (virus) is looking to be fit in time for the visit of Chesterfield.

Gillingham  v  Accrington Stanley(15:00) :

Gillingham are looking to take their ten game unbeaten run up to 11 when they play hosts to Accrington Stanley, who are confident after a mid week win against Stockport. Gillingham striker Adebayo Akinfenwa is a Doubt for the Gills ,this comes after a recent illness. When these two teams met earlier on in the season Accrington got the better of Gillingham in a 11 goal thriller but Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler is reassured by his teams position in the league table.

Hereford    v  Barnet(15:00):

Barnet take the trip to Herefordshire where they look to keep off the bottom of the league 2 table, while Hereford look to beat Barnet after losing 2-0 back in October. Hereford manager Jamie Pitman has no new injury or suspension worries ahead of the visit of relegation plagued Barnet on Saturday. The same can’t be said, however, for the visitors who will be without midfielder Rossi Jarvis, who will serve a one match ban, and striker Steve Kabba who will be out due to a hamstring injury.

Lincoln City   v  Southend(15:00):

Southend travel to Lincoln as they look to climb ahead of Torquay into 8^th Spot as their push for promotion continues, and Lincoln are looking to spoil the visitors afternoon and move up to 14^th in the league. Lincoln have no suspensions or injury problems ahead of Saturdays clash but Southend will be without Midfielder Bilel Mohsni who remains sidelined after ankle ligament damage. Luke Howell (hamstring) and Clark Keltie (thigh) will also miss out.

Morecambe  v Bradford(15:00):

Both teams are looking to climb up the table away from the relegation zone with a chance to move 15^th(providing Results go their way).Morecambe keeper Barry Roche is out with a thigh injury and also amongst the injury mix Paul Scott(Knee). Manager Peter Jackson has no other injury or suspension worries and could name the same side that beat Rotherham in midweek.

Northampton  v  Macclesfield(15:00):

Macclesfield are coming into Saturdays clash after a important 1-0 win over crew during mid week and are ready to go 10 points clear of the drop zone, while Northampton are still yet to find victory under new management. Northampton will have to make do without Strikers Billy McKay (dislocated elbow) and Leon McKenzie (knee), as do defenders Marcus Hall (illness) and Craig Hinton (knee).As for Macclesfield strikers Ricky Sappleton and Emile Sinclair both serve the final game of their three-match bans.

Port Vale v Oxford(15:00):

Port Vale look to move up to 4^th on Saturday and keep their automatic Promotion chances alive when they face an Oxford side who are also serious playoff hopefuls. Port Vale do not have any Suspensions or Injuries ahead of the weekend clash. Despite Torquay defender Gareth Owen continuing  to work his way back to fitness after an ankle injury he is not yet ready to return and also Anthony Tonkin, who serves a one-match ban will not be available for the bulls.

Rotherham  v  Bury(15:00):

Bury are looking to close the gap between them and league leaders Chesterfield when they face a Rotherham side that dropped points during midweek and are looking to bounce back into 4^th place and keep their promotion push alive. Rotherham Defender Tom Newey is suspended, while fellow defender Ryan Cresswell is not yet ready for a first team return after recovering from a broken collarbone. Bury will be without midfielder Damien Mozika, who serves the final game of a two-match ban.

Stockport  v Burton Albion(15:00):

It’s been hard work for Stockport recently both financially and Performance wise but they look to lift themselves of the bottom when they play hosts to fellow relegation battlers Burton Albion. Fellow Stockport striker Ryan Noble returns from a ban, but defender Jordan Rose remains doubtful through injury. Brewer’s manager Paul Peschisolido is hopeful midfielder Russell Penn can shake off a shoulder injury picked up in Tuesday's win over Lincoln.

Torquay  v  Shrewsbury(15:00):

While hosts Torquay utd look to close the gap between them and 7^th place, Shrewsbury have their eyes set on Automatic promotion. Jake Robinsons Parent club has given him the chance to play on Saturday and Robinson looks to mark the occasion with a goal. Also looking to get on the score sheet is former Torquay player Nicky Wroe who transferred to Shrewsbury during the January Transfer Window.

Wycombe  v  Stevenage(15:00):

Wycombe have their eyes set on second place following their game against a Stevenage side who lie 13^th in the League 2 table. Wycombe defender Dave Winfield hopes to return to the side after completing a three-match ban and Defender Andy Sandell will remain on the sidelines for at least six weeks with a knee injury. Stevenage are set to welcome back defender Mark Roberts, who has completed a one-match ban. Also defender Jon Ashton remains doubtful with a leg injury, so either Luke Foster or Michael Bostwick could deputise in defence.