Brighton v Crewe preview
Railwaymen seek to down Seagulls
Last Updated: February 27, 2009 11:35am
Virgo: Starts five-match ban
Two sides battling for their League One lives meet on Saturday as Brighton play host to Crewe.
The Seagulls have been on a downward spiral for some time and have slipped into the relegation zone after taking only three wins from their last 16 fixtures.
Crewe currently sit one place and a solitary point behind their weekend opponents but are the form side heading into the game, having claimed three consecutive victories.
Brighton team news
Adam Virgo starts a five-match ban as beleaguered Brighton prepare for a visit from fellow strugglers.
The Seagulls - still without a manager after Jim Gannon turned down the job on Thursday - appealed against Virgo's sending-off during the midweek draw with Northampton, and the utility man was promptly hit with an extra one-game ban by the FA.
Virgo has been partnering Nicky Forster in attack recently with Glenn Murray (hernia) and Calvin Andrew (hamstring) sidelined, but Craig Davies is fit after a virus and should come in up front.
Caretaker boss Dean White also has doubts over defenders Colin Hawkins (hamstring), Adam Hinshelwood (calf) and Andrew Whing (ankle).
David Livermore serves the final game of his three-game ban.
Crewe team news
Crewe boss Gudjon Thordarson faces a defensive dilemma ahead of his side's trip to the Withdean Stadium.
The Crewe boss will be without defender Dennis Lawrence after he suffered a cheekbone injury against Yeovil on Tuesday night.
The influential Trinidad and Tobago international could be sidelined for a month and his absence will force Crewe into a defensive reshuffle with George Abbey, Danny O'Donnell and fit-again Chris McCready all vying for a central role.
Thordarson watched all three centre-backs who are hoping to step into Lawrence's role in a behind-closed -doors friendly against Oldham on Wednesday night and Abbey remains in pole position to start on Saturday.
Abbey played just over an hour for the reserves and was the man who came on to replace Lawrence against Yeovil.
Matches
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npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
