Burton v Bradford preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's League Two clash between Burton Albion and Bradford at the Pirelli Stadium.

Last Updated: 26/10/12 at 12:41   

Tomlinson: Rated doubtful

Tomlinson: Rated doubtful

Burton boss Gary Rowett insists he has no qualms about handing youngster Dean Lyness his full debut against the Bantams.

Lyness, signed from Kidderminster in the summer, has been the third-choice goalkeeper behind Stuart Tomlinson and Ross Atkins since his arrival at the Pirelli Stadium, his only outing coming in the second half of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at Coventry last month.

A hip injury sustained by Atkins in training saw Lyness, 21, named on the bench against Port Vale, and he then got another taste of action when Tomlinson (knee) had to go off injured after 79 minutes of the 1-1 home draw.

"I'll admit I was worried at the time, but I have no fears about playing Deano on Saturday," said Rowett. "We've said all along that we signed Dean as one for the future, but he was excellent when he came on against Coventry and he's done well in our reserve-team games. Sometimes a player gets a chance they don't expect and it's up to them to take it."

However, Rowett has not yet ruled out the possibility of one or both of his senior keepers being available for the visit of Bradford, despite Tomlinson leaving the Pirelli Stadium on crutches on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Jack Dyer will also be assessed after injury ruled him out against Port Vale, while on-loan winger Jordan Chapell did his claims for a start no harm with a debut goal from the bench in midweek.

Bradford will be without suspended leading goalscorer Nahki Wells but skipper Gary Jones could return.

Bermudan Wells, who has scored 10 goals this season, sits out a one-game ban after reaching five yellow cards but manager Phil Parkinson has plenty of options at his disposal.

Alan Connell, Zavon Hines and Will Atkinson are all vying to partner James Hanson up front in Wells' absence.

Midfielder Jones has missed the last six matches due to a back problem but recently returned to full training and will be included in the squad.

Fellow midfielder Ritchie Jones is waiting patiently for his first start of the season following hamstring and ankle injuries while winger Craig Forsyth, on loan from Watford, is expected to continue after starting in the last two matches.

Parkinson's side are chasing a third successive league win.

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League Two Fixtures

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npower League 2

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Gillingham 46 27 83
2 Rotherham 46 15 79
3 Port Vale 46 35 78
4 Burton Alb 46 6 76
5 Cheltenham 46 7 75
6 Northamptn 46 9 73
7 Bradford 46 11 69
8 Chesterfld 46 15 67
9 Oxford Utd 46 -1 65
10 Exeter 46 1 64
11 Southend 46 6 61
12 Rochdale 46 -2 61
13 Fleetwood 46 -2 60
14 Bristol R 46 -9 60
15 Wycombe 46 -10 60
16 Morecambe 46 -6 58
17 York City 46 -10 55
18 Accrington 46 -17 54
19 Torquay 46 -7 53
20 AFC W'don 46 -22 53
21 Plymouth 46 -9 52
22 Dag + Red 46 -7 51
23 Barnet 46 -12 51
24 Aldershot 46 -18 48

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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