Burton Albion travel to Accrington Stanley tomorrow (December 18) looking for their second win away from the Pirelli Stadium this season, writes Sam Worth.
Manager Paul Peschisolido has been hampered with the news that centre-half Tony James, 34, will be sidelined for the festive fixtures with a hamstring injury picked up in training.
Peschisolido told Sky Sports: “Tony tweaked his hamstring last Friday which is why he wasn’t on the bench against Southend.
“Fortunately, Ryan Austin was fit enough to come back and he gave us the cover we needed.
“The timing of Ryan’s return was perfect from my point of view because Tony could be out for two weeks, possibly a bit longer.”
James has been playing a supporting role this season, with Darren Moore and Nathan Stanton making the positions their own.
Aaron Webster capped a convincing 3-1 victory over Southend last time out with a superb curling effort from thirty yards; which also marked Albion’s 100th goal in the football league.
Burton now sit twelfth in the Npower League Two table just four points behind Torquay United who currently occupy the final play-off spot. And if the Brewers are set about mounting a play-off push then their away form has to improve.
This weekend’s trip to 19th place Accrington Stanley could be tough; similar to Burton, Stanley’s away form is letting them down, but on their own soil they have only succumbed to defeat in two of their eight games.
Albion have taken 12 points from their last six games and a lot of thanks will be going to manager Peschisolido who joined in 2009.
Peschisolido ruled out the chances of a move to Championship outfit Sheffield United after Gary Speed’s departure this week.
The current Brewers’ boss made 102 appearances as a player for the Blades, scoring 23 goals between 2001 and 2003.