Russ Wilcox has previewed the trip to league leaders Swindon Town, and also provided an update on Abo Eisa and Kevin van Veen, who came off with hamstring and groin injuries respectively at Port Vale on Saturday.
Speaking to iFollow Iron, he said: “They’re a quality outfit who play good football and have won 20 games this season. They’re rightfully at the top of the league and I was impressed with them in the first home game of the season here, and felt they’d do well this season.
“They have a good manager in Richie Wellens and play the right way. It’s going to be a really tough game.
“We go into it positive with four points from the last two games (a draw at Port Vale and a win over Forest Green Rovers), and a clean sheet in one of those.
“We were disappointed with the goals we conceded on Saturday but the character from the group was outstanding, to keep battling away, after going behind twice in the game against a play-off team who have only lost once at home.
“To come back the way we did, with such a late equaliser, it felt like a win so the lads are in good spirits at the moment.
“We know Swindon will have a lot of the ball but we have to be resolute, hard to beat and hard to break down if we can, and also a threat at the other end of the pitch.”
The Port Vale game saw George Miller net his maiden goal for the first team and Wilcox continued: “Hopefully with George Miller getting his goal now, that will give him a massive boost. He’s always worked hard for the team and has just been lacking the goals. In his defence, he’s not really had a run of games so he has an opportunity now.”
Providing an update on Eisa and van Veen, he continued: “Eisa will have a scan on Monday while Kev is touch and go. He’s not a million miles away. It’s not as bad as we first thought, but obviously he’ll be a doubt for the next couple of games.
“It’s an opportunity for George and a few others. That’s why I was so pleased on Saturday. It was a very young team out there at the finish and it bodes well for the future.
“Everyone else is fine. Again, we’ll take a young squad with us but that brings energy and opportunities. They’ve seen the chance and are grasping it with both hands. We’re looking forward to the game.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox and Rory McArdle on iFollow Iron. Click here to sign-up.