Brentford v Stevenage preview
Last Updated: February 11, 2013 6:27pm
Kevin O'Connor: Edging closer towards a return
Team news for Tuesday's League One clash between Brentford and Stevenage at Griffin Park.
Brentford have no new injury problems to contend with.
Uwe Rosler's side came through the weekend's game physically unscathed, but the Bees saw their winless league run extended to four matches with a 2-2 draw at home to Bury.
Brentford led twice but were pegged back by the League One strugglers and now only remain in the play-off places on goal difference.
But the Bees received a boost this week with the news that long-term injury duo striker Farid El-Alagui and midfielder Kevin O'Connor could return to training soon, which would allow them to feature before the end of the campaign.
El-Alagui has been out with a knee injury since October and could be back in three-to-four weeks while O'Connor suffered ankle ligament damage in November and has been set a timescale of four to five weeks.
Stevenage are without the suspended Steven Arnold.
The goalkeeper was dismissed against Carlisle after just 12 minutes for bringing down Rory Loy in the area and will now serve a one-match ban.
Veteran keeper Chris Day was called from the bench at Brunton Park and is expected to deputise from the start against Uwe Rosler's side as Boro look to stop their slide down the table.
Gary Smith's side were third three months ago but now find themselves 14th after a run of eight defeats in 13 games.
But Boro do enjoy a relatively empty treatment room, with defender Jon Ashton's long-term Achilles problem the only major injury at the club.
It means Smith has the likes of Sam Hoskins, Greg Tansey, Lucas Akins and Robin Shroot as options if he wants to make changes.
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 |
