Mark Venus will miss tonight's Worthington Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg tie with Brentford. The centre-half picked up a thigh problem during Saturday's victory over Bolton Wanderers. Apparently it is just a dead leg and should be OK for Saturday's game with Sheffield United. Other injury worry Richard Wright has recovered sufficiently to take his place between the sticks for his 133rd consecutive appearance. He has also been included in the England U21 squad for the Euro 2000 qualifiers against Luxembourg at home (Sept 3rd), and in Poland four days later. There is also a place for Kieron Dyer.
As for tonight it seems likely that Town will revert to a 4-4-2 formation with Jim Magilton replacing Mark Venus, rather than Wayne Brown who might have expected a call if Town continued with a 5-3-2 formation. Fabian Wilnis will start in the right back position with Mickey Stockwell dropping to the bench. Full squad: R Wright, Wilnis, Clapham, Thetis, McGreal, Holland, Magilton, Scowcroft, J Wright, Naylor, Johnson, Stockwell, Brown, Salmon, Axeldal, Mowbray and Friars. Neither Adam Tanner or Marco Holster have trained enough to be included in the squad. Former Town man David Theobald is likely to be on the Brentford bench.
Town's reserves play a game against Needham Market tomorrow night at Needham's Bloomfields ground. Kick off is at 7.30pm.