Oxford Clash Forces Changes

Last updated : 15 March 2002 By Andy Beill
Matt Wicks and Mike Edwards are both suspended, so Andy Holt and Ben Petty are expected to come in. Wicks is also carrying a hamstring problem, but will miss the Oxford and Leyton Orient games anyway through a ban.

Jason Van Blerk, and Gary Bradshaw are still missing through injury. Van Blerk suffered his injury in a Reserve team game last week, while Bradshaw limped out of the Mansfield win with a back strain.

The young forward was hoping to be fit by now, but things are taking longer than expected.
He said: "I thought I'd be okay but the problem flared up again and there's no way I could get through the session.
"Obviously, it's frustrating and the injury is doing my head in because I don't really know what the problem is. I'd love to play against Oxford but it looks like it will be next week now."

Van Blerk also took part in training yesterday but is not expected to be risked tomorrow.

On-loan midfielder David Norris is expected to start his first game for the Tigers. Lee Philpott on left wing has been struggling with an achilles injury, while David Beresford did a poor job in place of the suspended Ryan Williams last week. Norris could replace either of these two.

Expected line-up (4-4-2): Musselwhite; Petty, Whittle, Greaves, Holt; Norris, Johnsson, Sneekes, Philpott; Alexander, Dudfield.
Subs from: Glennon, Mohan, Goodison, Morley, Matthews, Beresford, Whitmore.