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Ilkeston pre-match news
Gary White and Jamie Barrett are the only injury doubts ahead of the Moat Ground clash with Ilkeston Town.
White picked up an ankle injury during the 2-0 Derbyshire cup 2nd leg victory at Belper in midweek whilst Barrett suffered a slight reaction to a foot injury after his late substitute appearance on Wednesday night. Manager Gary Norton rates both as 50/50 but hope both make it. Norton said: "Gary and Jamie are desperate to play and we will leave it until lunchtime on Saturday to make the call. They will both undergo late tests to assess their fitness." Nial Hudson is away in America but would probably have missed the game due to a hip injury whilst Mickey Lyons returns to the squad after missing the midweek cup final victory due to being cup tied. Lyons will potentially come faced to face with brother Pat for the first time. Pat joined the Robins recently from Worcester City.
The game is a must win for both sides for different reasons. The visitors are still chasing automatic promotion and are still well placed in the race for the title. Norton commented:"It's a huge game for both sides for obvious reasons. Defeat for us could effectively end our playoff hopes whilst Ilkeston are still going for the title and automatic promotion. With things being so tight between the top four a defeat for them tomorrow could seriously damaged their hopes."
"I have a lot of time for Phil Stant and Ernie Oliver and get on really well with them both. I also have a lot of respect for Ilkeston Town as a club and with the set up and backing they have at the New Manor Ground they really should be playing at a higher level. They have a great following and their supporters are amongst the most passionate there are at this level. A healthy rivalry exists between the two clubs and the respective sets of supporters but I'd also like to feel that there is also a lot of mutual respect between the two camps. I really hope they go on to get automatic promotion and I sent Phil a message at the start of the month to tell him that and wish them luck but things like that will get put to one side for 90 minutes tomorrow for obvious reasons. We are as desperate for the win as they are and would be great for us if we could win tomorrow then do them a favour in our last two games against Willenhall and AFC Telford.
Squad: Belford, Smith, Farmer, Hood, G White, C White, Lyons, Marlowe, Dodds, Barrett, Ejiofor, O Connor, Edwards, Tate, Gray
