Rotherham United's visit to Highbury on Tuesday evening brings together the bookmakers two pre-season favourites in the npower League 2.
By David MitchellRotherham United's visit to Highbury on Tuesday evening brings together the bookmakers two pre-season favourites in the npower League 2.
Fleetwood Town manager, Micky Mellon, believes that the game could be a 'cracker':
'It's a game to get excited about under the Fleetwood floodlights. I get on really well with my opposite number Steve Evans. We know what he's about and how he gets his teams going. Rotherham will come at us and we have to be able to match that intensity. We are prepared to do just that.'
Midfielder Alex Marrow is eligible again after serving his suspension for the red card received at Rochdale. Full-back Shaun Beeley is also available for selection after missing four games with a thigh injury. Defender Rob Edwards is struggling with his hamstring injury from the Bromley game so skipper Steve McNulty is set to make his first start since Cheltenham in the centre of defence. Midfielder Damien Johnson is again set to miss out but Barry Ferguson is expected to make his league debut for Town after appearing for 80 minutes against Bromley in the FA Cup:
'They are a tremendous side,' Evans told BBC Radio Sheffield,'and they've really pulled one out of the bag signing Barry Ferguson.'
The Millers currently lie sixth, with a game in hand, and come into the match on the back of three successive league victories and a 3-2 FA Cup win over League One Stevenage at the weekend. A double from midfielder Lee Frecklington, on loan from Peterborough, helped his side into the Second Round.
'Saturday's win shows that we have a lot of potential,' Evans told BBC Sheffield. 'Lee Frecklington is a real top professional and we're grateful to have him here.'
The recent run of form coincides with Evans return from serving a six game stadium ban. In his absence, his side won just two games. Away form has been modest this season with a single win at Aldershot from six games. 25% of the Millers points have been earned away from home.
Leading scorer Daniel Nardiello is a doubt after missing the Stevenage game with a groin strain while midfielder David Noble is ruled out with an ankle injury. Winger Lionel Ainsworth , right-back Dale Tonge and keeper Scott Shearer are all out longer term.
Rotherham have invested heavily in a new ground, the New York Stadium, which was built on a former foundry site. They moved to appoint former Crawley manager Evans in April 2012 and are making a concerted effort to return to League One after being relegated in 2006/07.