Boss to make central defensive decision
John Still will have to decide who partners Steve McNulty in central defence for Saturday’s trip to Alfreton following news that Alex Lacey won’t be fit to feature at the Impact Arena.
The young defender hasn’t recovered from the knock he received during the 3-0 win over Southport last week but Still has plenty of options to fill the void.
Andy Parry – who scored against Staines on Tuesday night having started at centre-half – and loan trio Alfie Mawson, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Joe Davis could all fill that central defensive berth according to the manager.
“I like them all,” said Still at his press conference on Thursday afternoon. “I have made my mind up but I won’t be saying who yet.
“I like Pelly in central midfield, Alfie’s a proper centre-half and Joe’s done well in the two games he’s played against Staines.”
The Town have never won at the Impact Arena and went down 3-0 earlier in the campaign last term.
Defender Lathaniel Rowe-Turner has spent the past three months on loan with the Reds but isn’t allowed to play against the Hatters as part of the loan agreement.
While the Town have, as usual, done their homework on Nicky Law’s side, Still will attempt to garner a few more secrets from Rowe-Turner.
“We’re fully up-to-date on what they do and how they do it but on Friday’s will try and turn him [Rowe-Turner] into a grass so he can tell us anything we don’t know,” joked Still.
“What we do know is that it will be a tough game.”
The Town will continue to be without Solomon Taiwo, Jon Shaw, Danny Fitzsimons and Anthony Charles at the weekend.
However, there’s good news for striker Shaw who has resumed full training whilst Taiwo has had an operation on a hernia.