Burton Albion vs Plymouth ARGYLE-Match Preview

Plymouth Argyle will travel in high spirits to Staffordshire to face Burton Albion on Saturday, following their victory over promotion chasing Cheltenham Town the previous week.

Following the 2-0 win over the Gloucestershire side, Cheltenham Town, Plymouth Argyle moved up to 18^th place 4 points clear of the relegation zone.  As for Argyle’s opponents Burton Albion, the Brewers sit in the automatic promotion places in third position after a comfortable 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanders on Tuesday Evening.

Plymouth Argyle and Burton Albion have already played each other this season at Home Park on 7^th November.  Burton Albion took all three points on a very chilly Tuesday evening.  In the Argyle starting line-up that evening is present Albion midfielder Alex MacDonald.  Signed from Woking Town in the summer Paris Cowan-Hall gave the home side the lead just at the start of the second half on 49minutes.  Albion had equalised on 74 minutes through Nathan Stanton and Robbie Weir had scored the winning goal 4 minutes after the equaliser had been scored. 

Players from each team will come up against their former clubs if selected on Saturday in the Npower League Two fixture.  Argyle defender Guy Branston and midfielder Andres Gurrieri have both played for Burton Albion; whilst from the Albion Alex MacDonald and Damien McCrory have had spells with the Pilgrims.  Guy Branston enjoyed a season at the Pirelli Stadium making 19 appearances; he was then released at the end of the 2009-10 season and joined Torquay United on a one year contract.  While Argentine Gurrieri played for the Brewers last season, season 2011-12, making 13 appearances. After being released by Albion at the end of last season Gurrieri had a trial with the Pilgrims which was successful and signed a 12-month contract. Burton Albion midfielder Alex MacDonald has been signed by Argyle on two separate occasions on loan from Championship side Burnley. Most recently the fans favourite joined the Pilgrims on loan at the start of this current season.  The attacking midfielder was set to join Plymouth Argyle permanently in the January transfer window, until the deal fell through after former manager Carl Fletcher was sacked at the beginning of January 2013. Another Brewer who has been contracted to the Devon Club is Damien McCrory, the Irish born started his career with Argyle, having signed with the centre of excellence.  He was soon offered a 12 month professional contract in 2008.  In that year he spent time out on loan at Port Vale and Grimsby Town.  In 2010 Damien signed a two year contract for Dagenham & Redbridge.     

Manager of the month for March, John Sheridan will be aiming to name an un-changed side on Saturday when the Pilgrims face third place Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.  After becoming the second youngest player to be named as Plymouth Argyle captain, Curtis Nelson is look set to keep hold of the armband for the trip up North whilst Conor Hourihane serves his second of a two match suspension. However Paul Wotton is doubtful for this encounter due to a groin injury that he suffered in the win over Cheltenham at Home Park last Saturday. Also very doubtful for the Npower League Two fixture is Lee Cox, who is on loan from Swindon, is still struggling with a shoulder injury that he sustained in the Devon Derby.  As for Burton Albion Calvin Zola is a doubt for the visit of Plymouth through a hamstring and hip injury which has seen him sat out the last four fixtures.  Captain Zander Diamond and goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson look set to return to the starting line-up after being dropped by manager Rewett for Tuesdays fixture after the 7-1 defeat to Port Vale the previous Saturday. 

Available: - Jake Cole, Rene Gilmartin, Ollie Chenoweth, Durrell Berry, Maxime Blanchard, Anthony Charles, Guy Branston, Curtis Nelson, Onsimor Bhasera, Jason Banton, Luke Young, Jared Sims, Isaac Vassell, Paris Cowan-Hall, Joe Bryan, Andres Gurrieri, Ronan Murray, Nick Chadwick, Reuben Reid, Tyler Harvey, Matt LeCointe. 

Doubtful: - Paul Wotton (groin injury),

Unavailable: - Jamie Richards (on loan to Weymouth), Conor Hourihane (suspended), Jamie Lowry (ankle injury), Lee Cox (shoulder injury), Warren Feeney (ankle injury).