Cheltenham v Leicester preview

Can the Robins avoid falling prey to the Foxes?

Last updated: 29th August 2008

Keith Downing

Downing: Slow start

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Cheltenham are languishing towards the bottom early on, while Leicester are among the frontrunners.

The Robins have taken just three points from as many fixtures so far and find themselves in the bottom four.

In contrast, the Foxes remain unbeaten and have conceded just one goal in their League One fixtures so far.

Injury worries

Cheltenham boss Keith Downing will be without a host of players for his side's game on Saturday.

Damian Spencer continues to sit out with a thigh injury and is expected to return to training in four weeks, while John Finnigan misses out with a heel/ankle problem.

Scott Brown has returned to training after an ankle injury but is expected to miss this weekend's game.

Defender Shane Duff is a doubt with an Achilles injury he suffered in the second half of the Robins' Carling Cup tie with Stoke.

Midfielder David Bird (ankle) has returned to training and should be in contention, while Jennison Myrie-Williams is expected to start in attack after overcoming a dead leg.

Oakley in contention

Midfielder Matt Oakley returns to contention for Leicester's trip to Whaddon Road after missing the Carling Cup clash at Fulham.

Oakley was absent as the Foxes bowed out at the second-round stage in midweek with a brave performance against the Premier League club at Craven Cottage.

He has since resumed training and will be included in manager Nigel Pearson's squad.

City suffered no fresh injury problems at Fulham so the same three players remain absent.

Left-back Joe Mattock is sidelined with the ankle ligament damage he suffered against Stockport at the Walkers Stadium earlier this month.

Fellow defender Patrick Kisnorbo is still recovering from the knee ligament damage he suffered at the end of last season while midfielder Stephen Clemence (ankle) also remains unavailable.