Bristol R v Northampton preview
Last Updated: October 5, 2012 12:42pm
Guttridge: Long-term casualty for Cobblers
Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Bristol Rovers and Northampton at the Memorial Stadium.
Bristol Rovers welcome back Thomas Parkes from suspension as they look to end their poor home form.
Parkes missed the club's 1-0 defeat at Cheltenham after receiving five yellow cards to trigger a one-match ban and will return straight back into the centre of defence against the Cobblers.
The midweek defeat means Mark McGhee's side have failed to win any of their five home matches in League Two this season. They now must prepare for the visiting Cobblers, who have won just one of five on the road this season.
But Rovers remain without Danny Woodards (toe), Cian Bolger (knee) and goalkeeper Scott Bevan (wrist).
Last season's top scorer Matt Harrold is out for the rest of the campaign due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Northampton were dealt a double injury blow this week.
Luke Guttridge is set for around three months out after suffering a broken bone in his foot early on in the home defeat to Gillingham on Tuesday night. He joins fellow central midfielder Ben Harding (ankle) on the sidelines.
John Johnson also came off against the Gills and the defender will be absent for between four and six weeks as he is now facing a knee operation.
Chris Hackett could replace Guttridge while Danny East, who has extended his loan spell from Hull until January, is likely to come in for Johnson at full-back.
In light of the two injuries, manager Aidy Boothroyd is trying to bring in a loan signing ahead of the trip to the Memorial Stadium.
Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
