PROMOTION favourites Sheffield United visit Sixfields this Saturday with both sides looking to bounce back from opening day defeats.
The Sky Blues will be hoping to banish memories of an injury-time defeat at Bradford City while the Blades aim to come back sharper from a 2-1 defeat at home to Bristol City.
Both managers spoke of good performances by their respective sides, albeit mixed in with soft goals conceded.
City had got back on level terms twice at Bradford but failed to grab a point when striker James Hanson scored an injury-time winner for the hosts for a 3-2 victory.
Manager Steven Pressley will be without defender Danny Pugh who could be out for a lengthy spell after picking up an injury during the 2-1 League Cup defeat against Cardiff City.
That means Ryan Haynes could be given the nod at left-wing back while Ryan Allsop will replace Lee Burge in goal.
“I have a lot of faith in Ryan Haynes,” said Pressley. “I’ve always been a manager who trusts his young players and Ryan has got a lot of experience in the first-team group.
“It’s a great opportunity for him to really stake a claim in the first-team and say I’m ready to step up.”
Defender Jordan Clarke is another player who is likely to make his third appearance of the season.
And he was impressed with what he saw from no fewer than seven debuts during the 3-2 defeat at Bradford on the opening day of the season.
He said: “I think they all did well, especially Reda who scored the two goals. I think it is better for us that they get their debuts early on.
“We all know that there is more to come from us anyways as it was the opening game of the season.
“We can only improve now and with the new system, we need to make sure that everybody continues to learn their roles so we can improve as a team.”
The Sky Blues took all three points the last time the two sides met at Sixfields last year in a dramatic match aired on Sky. Deadly duo Leon Clarke and Callum Wilson had put Pressley’s side 3-0 inside 50 minutes before Lyle Taylor bagged a brace to set up a tight finish.
All three of the strikers have since moved on with the City pair playing their football in the Championship and Taylor at fellow League One side Scunthorpe United.
