It’s already the first return fixture of the season (will that fixture computer ever get these things right) and a trip to the concrete wasteland that is Milton Keynes. If ever there was an example of the perfect soulless new town, this is it. If you thought Telford was bad . . . . .

It’s going to be all change again, in the midfield, as Mark Kinsella, who played so well in freeing Eric Skora to go forward last week picked up yet another calf injury in training this week and is very doubtful. Osborn hasn’t got over his hamstring problem., so it looks as if Kris Taylor will be partnering the Frenchman. Leitao will, we assume, continue on the right wing, but Merson may also be reluctantly forced to play Demontagnac, despite his hour long appearance for England under 18s and the long flights to and from Turkey.
He also has the option of using Daryl Taylor on the bench, after 45 minutes this week in a practise game, but that would be very, very risky, so Joe Broad may yet make an appearance.

In defence, expect Staunton to play or be on the bench, but last week’s line up seems the most likely, with Pead missing the last of his games through suspension. It is, officially, Joe Murphy’s last game, unless his loan is extended.

Long term injury victims Standing, Oakes, Merson, Wrack and Wright all will be missing.

Franchise’s main injury worry would seem to be ex Saddler Clive Platt, who picked up a knock while scoring the two goals that got them past Lincoln City in the Cup. There were stories that they had a couple of others likely to be missing, but their official site says Ricketts and Smith should be available

Franchise go into the game in 20th place in the table. Their current record at home is:

Played 9 Won 2 Drawn 6 Lost 1 For 9 Against 8 Points 12

So, in the home table, they are a respectable 15th, with only their habit of turning wins into draws stopping them making further progress.

Their danger man is always the pacy Izale McCleod, famous for his dubious falling over habits when at Derby.

Predictions? A late, late Julian Bennett equaliser in a game from which we deserved nothing doesn’t bode well. It was only the fact that McCleod and Platt hadn’t bought their shooting boots with them kept us in the game. However, Skora’s performance last week showed that, if we can give him the base to work from, he can deliver. Whether Taylor is as capable of doing that as Kinsella (or Osborn) remains to be seen. The left flank also worries me, as the effects of the long, tiring trip on Demontagnac could give us problems. Given the opposition’s record, a draw, I think.

I’ve included a link to their fanzine preview, as it will provide the odd laugh

http://www.thebucksfizz.com/preview/wal-prev2