Last updated: 27th November 2009
Ablett: Stockport have slumped
Stockport and Torquay will have one eye on the third round when they meet in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Both sides will be dreaming of earning a glamour tie against Premier League opposition, and the financial rewards which will accompany such a contest.
The Hatters will be looking to build on their first round success over Tooting & Mitcham, while the Gulls have already seen off Cheltenham.
Stockport boss Gary Ablett has been given a much-needed boost after striker Nicholas Bignall was passed fit for cup duty.
The on-loan Reading youngster has missed the last two matches because of a hamstring injury but he should line up against the Gulls.
Fellow forward Oli Johnson has also missed the last two games because of a calf problem but he looks almost certain to be given the green light to play.
Ablett, whose side have lost their last six League One matches, has a worry over midfielder David Poole because of illness.
County have not yet received permission to play on-loan Bristol City defender Christian Ribeiro, so he looks set to miss out.
Torquay have been boosted by the news that Adam Smith can play in the FA Cup clash at Edgeley Park.
Premier League side Tottenham have allowed the on-loan teenage full-back to feature.
Fellow loanee Michael Poke has not been given permission to play by Southampton and his place will go to Scott Bevan.
On-loan Saints winger Jake Thomson can play and he featured in the victory over the Robins in round one.
Central defender Kieran Charnock is suspended but winger Danny Stevens is expected to recover from the virus that caused him to miss Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Port Vale, where fit-again skipper Chris Hargreaves returned to central midfield following a thigh injury.
On-loan Wycombe forward Chris Zebroski is cup-tied having played for Wanderers in the first round against Brighton.
Stockport v Torquay. Click here to bet.| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 13th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| 12:00 | Chelsea vs Cardiff |
| 12:30 | Southampton vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Reading vs West Brom |
| 17:15 | Man City vs Stoke |
| Sunday 14th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Tottenham |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Notts County |
| 15:45 | Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 3rd February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Leeds 1 - 3 Tottenham | |
| Tuesday 2nd February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Wigan 0 - 2 Notts County | |
| Crystal Palace 3 - 1 Wolverhampton | |
| Sunday 24th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Stoke 3 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Scunthorpe 2 - 4 Man City | |
| Saturday 23rd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Preston 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Reading 1 - 0 Burnley | |
| Southampton 2 - 1 Ipswich | |
| Aston Villa 3 - 2 Brighton | |
| Bolton 2 - 0 Sheff Utd | |
| Notts County 2 - 2 Wigan | |
| Derby 1 - 0 Doncaster | |
| Tottenham 2 - 2 Leeds | |
| Accrington Stanley 1 - 3 Fulham | |
| Cardiff 4 - 2 Leicester | |
| West Brom 4 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Portsmouth 2 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Everton 1 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Wolverhampton 2 - 2 Crystal Palace | |
| Tuesday 19th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Accrington Stanley 1 - 0 Gillingham | |
Confidence will be in short supply when the Merseyside derby kicks off on Sunday, says Andy Gray.
For Liverpool and Everton it's a 'can't-lose' derby but does anyone else care, asks Paul Merson?