Cheltenham Town welcome Stevenage FC to the LCI Rail Stadium on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm) as they look to return winning ways in Sky Bet League Two.
Gary Johnson’s men lost out in a seven-goal thriller last time out against Exeter City and the gaffer has now urged his players to make amends on home soil.
A busy week on activity before deadline day means a new-look Robins could take the field for a crucial league encounter.
Our visitors:
Stevenage have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season and are riding high in third place in the table, after back-to-back league victories over Barnet and Grimsby Town.
Manager Darren Sarll is eager for his team to build on last season’s 10th placed finish but acknowledges he expects at tough afternoon in Cheltenham.
“Cheltenham are one of those teams that are managed by someone I have masses of respect for. You know they are going to be resilient, robust and when you look at their recruitment over the summer there is a lot of physicality,” he told iFollow Stevenage.
“Grimes, Atangana, Wright’s still there, Pell’s still there. Dawson came from Yeovil – he is an athlete. You can see the direction in which Gary would like to go in and you have got to give that respect, you have got to research it. You have got to try and find the flaw, find the strength and work around those traits.
Team News:
Stevenage team news: Danny Newton is battling to be involved after picking up an injury against Barnet while Chris Whelpdale also had to come off because of strain.
The visitors could hand a debut to new signing Kyle Wootton following his deadline-day loan move from Scunthorpe.
Charlie Wakefield, the midfielder signed on a season-long loan from Chelsea, is not yet available as he receives treatment for an injury back with the Premier League club.
Midfielder Dale Gorman misses out through suspension following his sending off at Barnet last week.
Cheltenham team news: New recruits Scott Flinders, Taylor Moore, Joe Morrell, Freddie Hinds and Jaanai Gordon, subject to Football League clearance, could all be involved after signing this week.
Defender Will Boyle is back in contention, after recovering from a back injury, but Jamie Grimes misses out through suspension. Jordon Forster is ruled out through injury.
The man in the middle:
Craig Hicks will be refereeing at the LCI Rail Stadium and he will be assisted by Thomas Harty and Danny Gratton. Fourth official is Michael D’Aguilar.
Last season’s results:
14/2/17 – Stevenage 2-1 Cheltenham (L2)
27/09/16 – Cheltenham 0-0 Crawley (L2)
Ticket Information:
Tickets will be available on the gate from 12noon or you can buy your ticket online here before the big day.