Plymouth v Barnet preview
Last Updated: March 1, 2013 5:30pm
Jason Banton: Facing a late fitness test
Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Plymouth and Barnet at Home Park.
Plymouth hope to call on in-form Jason Banton for the crucial clash with Barnet after learning that the winger's thigh injury was not as bad as first feared.
The 21-year-old, who has scored three times in five games for the Pilgrims, has extended his loan stay at Home Park from Crystal Palace and looks like he will shrug off the injury that forced him out of the draw at AFC Wimbledon.
John Sheridan's side, rock bottom of the entire Football League, have also agreed a deal with Yeovil to keep striker Reuben Reid for another month but right-back Durrell Berry will miss out with a knee injury so Maxime Blanchard will deputise again.
Former Barnet goalkeeper Jake Cole, who was part of the Bees squad that pulled off a number of memorable great escapes, is well aware that Argyle are taking on the survival experts.
"We definitely know what we are facing,'' said. "For three years in a row it went to the last game for Barnet and they've survived with it going that way, it is amazing and they are still down and around it (the relegation zone) again.
"They have brought new people in there and have not changed that much, we know it will be very tough.''
Defeat to Edgar Davids' men would leave Argyle seven points behind the Bees in the race for survival.
Barnet could be unchanged for the weekend tie.
The Bees boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 win over Southend in midweek and suffered no new injuries.
Midfielder John Oster is set to miss out again due to a hamstring problem and striker Ricky Holmes is out for the season with an ankle injury.
Winger Mauro Vilhete was handed his first start of the season against the Shrimpers and should keep his place after a lively display.
Jon Nurse could be added to the bench after missing two games with concussion but fellow forward Steve Kabba remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury.
Graham Stack continues in goal with Liam O'Brien still recovering from a groin injury.
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 |
