Town skipper Matt Holland is expected to be fit for tomorrow's home game with Aston Villa. The 171 consecutive appearance man has had ice packs on his ankle since Wednesday's game with Leicester and they seem to have done the trick.

Mark Venus is also looking likely to be in contention, although John Scales must be favourite to continue despite the result at Filbert Street. James Scowcroft might hope for a recall up front as neither David Johnson or Marcus Stewart has scored yet this season. Scowcroft missed much of pre-season, but must be near full fitness by now.

Keith Branagan's knee injury which kept him off the bench on Wednesday night will keep him out for a month. The former Bolton custodian has medial ligament damage, although he will not be needing an operation. Mike Salmon will continue on the bench in his absence.

Wayne Brown also has a minor injury whoch kept him off the bench on Wednesday.

Nothing so far today on George Burley's latest attenpt to sign a player (see yesterday), but the new man would be unlikely to play tomorrow even if a deal was completed today.

Likely Town squad: R Wright, Wilnis, Clapham, Bramble, Scales, Hreidarsson, Holland, J Wright, Magilton, Johnson, Scowcroft, Stewart, Reuser, Venus, Mowbray, McGreal, Salmon and Croft.

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