Exeter V Burton Albion at St James Park - Match Preview




Gill primed for Grecians start

Exeter could hand Matt Gill a start as he prepares to pull on a red and white shirt at St James Park for the first time since 2009 against Burton.


Gill played a vital role in the Grecians' back-to-back promotions before departing for Norwich and having rejoined on loan from Bristol Rovers, before being named on the bench in their last two away games, he could be given the nod at the expense of Tommy Doherty or Jimmy Keohane.


Manager Paul Tisdale is without Matt Oakley (ankle) and Danny Butterfield (calf) but he has no fresh injury or suspension worries.


He also has a number of players who could come into the side with Sam Parkin hoping to dislodge John O'Flynn against the Brewers.


Rory Delap remains the only possible absentee for Burton.


A hamstring problem has kept Delap on the sidelines in recent weeks and the former Stoke and Derby midfielder is still a doubt ahead of this weekend.


Otherwise Albion boss Gary Rowett has a full squad to choose from, meaning a selection dilemma in midfield. Rowett surprisingly left out Lee Bell for Tuesday's 2-0 win over Torquay, instead retaining teenager Matty Palmer and dropping his skipper from the side which beat Chesterfield to allow striker Billy Kee's return after suspension.


"It's great we've got that problem," said Rowett. "For Matty to play instead of Belly shows how much progress he's made. I didn't feel Belly particularly deserved to be dropped, but Matty deserved to stay in."


Source: PA

Source: PA