JOHN Coleman takes his Accrington Stanley side to face npower Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers in the First Round of this season’s Carling Cup competition this eveing.
Stanley go into the game off the back of a goalless draw in the opening game of the League Two season, against Aldershot Town. While their Yorkshire counterparts will be brimming with confidence after easily despatching Preston North End 2-0 on Saturday.
Vital Quotes:
Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman told the official Stanley website accringtonstanley.co.uk that changes may be necessary after picking up a few injury concerns.
‘It’s sod’s law but we’ll have to try our best and see what we can come up with for Tuesday.’
Doncaster Rovers Team News:
To be announced.
Player to watch: Billy Sharp
The Sheffield born striker signed a permanent contract at Doncaster in the summer after snubbing a move to league favourites Burnley.
Sharp was in prolific form last term during a loan spell with Rovers, scoring 15 times in 33 appearances, leaving him as one of the Championship’s top scorers.
Accrington Stanley Team News:
New signing Craig Lindfield may be forced to sit on the sidelines once again as he nurses a knock, picked up in a Pre-Season friendly. The former Macclesfield Town man missed the Reds’ 0-0 draw with Aldershot on Saturday.
Fellow newbie Rory Boulding, is also a doubt after limping out of the game at the weekend. Should the former Mansfield Town man miss out, youngster Chris Turner could be set for a starting berth.
Andy Parkinson may also make his full debut for the Reds as may Australian Under 20 international goalkeeper Alex Cisak, as Coleman looks to give his new signings a run out.
Player to watch: Ray Putterill
Another new Accrington Stanley signing and a really exciting one at that. The former Liverpool youngster was released by the Anfield club in the summer after a string of serious injuries, but Putterill is now fit and raring to go.
He will be looking to make a big impact in the game and the explosive midfielder will relish this kind of game.
Match Prediction:
Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Accrington Stanley
It is a cup game so it could go either way, but I feel that the Championship side will just be too good for Coley’s side in the end.
