Burton Albion v Northampton preview

Team news for Thursday's League Two clash between Burton Albion and Northampton at the Pirelli Stadium.

Burton boss Gary Rowett will check on Damien McCrory ahead of the visit of managerless Northampton. McCrory was withdrawn at half-time during the 1-1 draw with Hartlepool on Saturday after sustaining a hamstring problem and the defender is a doubt for Boxing Day. Zander Diamond will replace the 23-year-old Irishman, as he did at Victoria Park, should McCrory not be fit to face the Cobblers. Rowett made three changes to his side at Hartlepool, resting striker Rene Howe and not risking midfielders Lee Bell (hamstring) or Alex MacDonald (virus). Bell and MacDonald should both be fit in time for the visit of Northampton, who sacked Aidy Boothroyd on Saturday evening after a 4-1 home defeat to Wycombe, while Howe will be fresh for the clash. Andy King takes charge of his first match as Northampton caretaker manager on Boxing Day as the struggling outfit head to promotion-chasing Burton. King is in temporary charge of the Cobblers following Aidy Boothroyd's sacking in the wake of Saturday's 4-1 home reverse to Wycombe - which left the club propping up the Football League. And King, formerly assistant manager, is thrown straight in at the deep end following injuries to Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, Ian Morris and Clive Platt - each of whom have been ruled out for around a month. Winger Stuart Dallas has also been recalled by parent club Brentford on Monday - forcing King to himself recall Cobblers trio Ben Tozer, Matty Harriott and David Moyo from their loans elsewhere.