Cheltenham vs Walsall Preview - Stop Press

By Neil Ravenscroft
November 2 2004

It's the competition we are out to win tonight, but there will be selection surprises in store, with injuries and changes from Saturday.

Paul Merson has said that there will be no wholesale changes to the team for tonight's LDV Vans Trophy tie this evening at Cheltenham Town, unlike many other clubs, who have played reserve teams in the past. Merson has already said that he is treating this competition seriously and wants to win it.
Matt Fryatt will be missing tonight, following his "flu" last week and so will Mark Kinsella, with his calf strain, and Simon Osborn, who picked up a back injury at Milton Keynes. Merson has also dropped Mark Wright, following his performance on Saturday. Darren Bazeley seems to be favourite to replace Wright, with Broad and Kris Taylor fighting over Osborn's spot.
With a busy schedule of away games coming up, the official site is also hinting however, that the likes of Ian Roper and Leroy Williams may also get a chance tonight, at least from the bench.
Richard McKinney, of course, is still out with his long term knee injury.
Cheltenham Town are 15th in League Two with 21 points from their opening 16 League games, just three more than we have managed from the same number of games. They have won only three of their eight games at home and will be without skipper John Finnigan with a neck injury.
They will also miss Odejayi and Michael Taylor, although Grant McCann may return.
We don't know what role, if any, former Walsall reserve Gavin Caines will play, having been on the bench on Saturday, but the former Wolves man, J J Melligan is always a danger from midfield.

If it's a draw after 90 minutes, there will be 30 minutes of extra-time, then a penalty shoot-out.
With all due respect to Cheltenham, this must be the best chance yet for our first away win of the season. 2 - 1 to the Saddlers.