LIAM WATSON will be missing only long-term injury victim John Shaw when he takes his STALYBRIDGE CELTIC squad to League One strugglers Doncaster Rovers for their FA Cup first round clash tomorrow (Saturday).
The Bower Fold manager rested key players for last week’s visit to Fylde and there could be up to ten changes, both in personnel and positionally, to the starting line-up at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Back in contention are Aaron Chalmers, Steve Tames, Alex Johnson and Danny Wisdom, all of whom missed the 5-0 reverse at Kellamergh Park. Bohan Dixon returns after a one-match suspension, and minor doubts Jack Higgins and Adam Farrell have both been declared fit.
Celtic, who have reached the first-round stage for the first time in 12 years, will be looking to take a Football League scalp for the first time in their history.
Rovers may give a debut to Brazilian right-back Felipe Mattioni who is loan from Everton. The defender has also played for Gremio, Espanyol and Mallorca, and made one appearance for AC Milan in 2009.
However, even though he comes highly recommended by Toffees boss Roberto Martinez, Mattioni has made only 22 appearances in the last five years as the result of back-to-back cruciate knee ligament injuries.
Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson said: “He’s obviously had his injury problems but he is very good technically.”
Tomorrow is also likely to be the day midfielder James Coppinger breaks Rovers’ appearance record by playing his 469th game for the Yorkshire club.
Ferguson had considered bringing in an extra defender on loan but decided not to do so as centre-halves Gary MacKenzie and Rob Jones have returned to training and are both in contention to play.
Doncaster, who recently sacked Paul Dickov as manager, lie 18th in League One. After losing two matches they followed up last week by beating Colchester 2-0.
CURZON ASHTON will be looking to make it five wins from their last six Vanarama North matches when they visit Bradford Park Avenue.
The only definite absentee is Alex Brown, who must serve a one-match ban for five bookings. There are doubts about Jordan Wright (knock) and Jonno Hunt (bug) but manager John Flanagan believes they will play.
In the Evo-stik NPL premier division, HYDE UNITED could bypass Salford City and go fourth in the table if they can shake off their midweek FA Trophy woes and win at Grantham to make it six consecutive league victories.
Manager Gary Lowe has no new injury or suspension problems. Striker Scott Spencer returned on Wednesday after missing the earlier encounters with Skelmersdale.
A damaged hamstring rules Dale Johnson out of ASHTON UNITED’s visit to Mickleover Sports.
Alex Frost and Gary Gee both have knee problems. Jay Gorton is described as 50/50.
In the first division north, MOSSLEY have a full squad for their home clash with Radcliffe Borough. Tom Dean and Mitchell Bryant are both available after missing last week’s FA Trophy tie.
As usual, Ben Richardson is the only absentee for GLOSSOP NORTH END who travel to Spennymoor.
Steve Hall, James Hampson, Brandon Zibaka and Eddie Dryden are all missing for DROYLSDEN who face fellow strugglers Harrogate Railway Athletic at the Butchers Arms.