Update from Neil Cox on Tuesday's game
Neil Cox said that a strong squad will be selected for tomorrow night’s Checkatrade Trophy game against Swansea City Under-23s.
With important home matches coming up against Chesterfield and Sheffield United, it will also offer players such as Tom Beere (pictured), Will Nightingale and David Fitzpatrick an opportunity to stake a claim.
However, competition rules state that EFL clubs must select a minimum of five 'first-team' players in their starting line-up.
Neil Cox said: “There will be no surprises and we will be fielding as strong a squad as we can. It is important for certain players to get minutes because we have a small squad and we are going to need everyone fit for the league challenges ahead.
“Will Nightingale will get minutes and George Francomb is likely to play some part. Tom Beere will also be back in the squad after he took a whack to the knee in the game against Wigan last week. David Fitzpatrick will be involved after he missed out on the 18 for Rochdale. We are checking on the fitness of one or two of the starting 11 from the Rochdale game as we need to play five of those from the start.”
Entry prices at tomorrow night’s game (7.45 pm kick-off) are £10 for adults and concessions and £5 for U18s. Only the Paul Strank Stand will be open for this match. Any profits from this game will be given to charity.
Opponents Swansea Under-23s will be required to play six Under-21 players. Neil Cox added that he is expecting a difficult match against a Premier League club’s best young talent.
“At the end of the day we want to win games of football and it is another match at home that we are looking forward to,” said Neil. “We do not know too much about the opposition, but we are expecting it to be a tough game. As Swansea are a Premier League club, we are expecting them to play a passing style through midfield and we will have to be on our toes. It will be a good work-out for players who need to up their fitness levels, but we want to win the game.”