Match Preview: Northampton Town v Darlington (From The Northern Echo)

Match Preview: Northampton Town v Darlington

3:39pm Friday 12th March 2010 in

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Northampton Town: Steele; Johnson, Hinton, Beckwith, Gilbert; Rodgers, Osman, Gilligan, Davis; McKay, Akinfenwa.

Darlington: Purcell; Diop, Main, G Smith, Waite; Dempsey, Byrne, White, Miller; Madden Redmond.

Darlington subs (from): Liversedge (gk), Milne, Burn, McReady, Gray, Groves, Chisholm, Moore, Mulligan, Deane.

Northampton subs (from): Walker (gk), Dyer, Harris, Herbert, O'Flynn, Jacobs, Mulligan, Konstantinou.

DARLINGTON: Left-back Stuart Giddings has a groin injury sustained during the 1-1 draw at Bury on Tuesday which forced him during the first half. He was replaced by winger Josh Gray who performed well as a makeshift full-back.

But manager Steve Staunton hopes that Irish defender Richie Byrne will have sufficiently recovered from a hamstring strain in order to replace Giddings.

New signing Chris Moore, a speedy right-winger, is in the squad but will be on the bench.

Having successfully utilised a 4-3-3 formation on Tuesday, which meant a recall for midfielder Gary Smith, Staunton must decide whether or not to revert back to 4-4-2.

Dan Riley has extended his loan with non-league neighbours Billingham Town. The young midfielder has re-joined the Northern League first division side for another month

Suspensions: None

Injuries: Giddings (groin), Bower (ankle), Lumsdon (back), Whelan (hamstring)

Last five league games: DLLLL

Leading league scorer: Purcell 7

Next game: Barnet (H) 20/3/10

NORTHAMPTON: The Cobblers are in good form, having won three in a row, but have several injury worries with three players collecting injuries during a midweek friendly reserve game.

John Curtis, Luke Guttridge, Kevin Thornton are all unlikely to feature though manager Ian Sampson will still be able to select the same XI that started last weeks 3-1 win at Port Vale.

Northampton were 20th during December but a good run has seen them rise to eighth.

Suspensions: None

Injuries: Guttridge (ankle), Thornton (knee), Curtis (calf), Dunn (knee), Holt (knee), Guinan (hernia)

Last five league games: WWWLL

Leading league scorer: Akinfenwa 15

Key player: Adebayo Akinfenwa

Last season: N/A

League head to head: Darlington 18, Northampton 21, draws 18

Referee: A Penn (West Midlands) G27 Y47 R1 Av1.77

Last Darlington game: v Accrington (A) 2-1L 11/09/09 Y0 R0

Odds: H4/9; A8/1; D7/2

It's a fact: New signing Chris Moore studied for journalism qualification at Darlington College in 2008.

Comment by CRAIG STODDART: Quakers are going to need to maintain their form Tuesdays draw at Bury if they are to stand any chance at in form Northampton.

Prediction: 2-0