Dagenham v Barnet preview

Dagenham v Barnet preview

Published Dec. 14, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew could be without Hatem Ben Arfa for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Manchester City.

Midfielder Ben Arfa, who made a goalscoring return against Fulham on Monday night after missing four games due to a hamstring problem, is a major doubt after aggravating the injury.

Steven Taylor (hamstring) and Yohan Cabaye (groin surgery) remain on Newcastle's long-term casualty list.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is set to miss out after being substituted in the Manchester derby with a groin injury.

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Kompany has a 'two per cent' chance of playing, according to manager Roberto Mancini, so either Kolo Toure or Joleon Lescott will deputise.

Midfielder Gareth Barry misses out through a one-match ban for verbally abusing a match official following City's defeat by United.

Lee Hughes and Jamal Campbell-Ryce could go back into the Notts starting line-up for the visit of the Bees.

The duo were expected to feature in the midweek FA Cup second-round replay with Rotherham but the game was postponed.

Both players have missed the last three games through suspension and striker Hughes is expected to battle it out with Chris Iwelumo for a starting berth.

Campbell-Ryce should replace fellow midfielder Alan Judge, who serves a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Yeovil last weekend.

Defender Manny Smith made a return to action for the reserves following four months on the sidelines with a knee problem, but is unlikely to feature.

Andre Boucaud, Jordan Stewart, and Tom Williams continue to be ruled out through injury.

Brentford boss Uwe Rosler has no new injury worries to contend with, but Farid El Alagui, Kevin O'Connor and Tom Adeyemi are all still on the sidelines.

Striker El Alagui is recovering from a knee injury, club stalwart O'Connor is a long-term absentee with an ankle problem and fellow midfielder Adeyemi has hamstring trouble.

Rosler could stick with the side that secured a dramatic 3-2 win over MK Dons last weekend.

Jonathan Douglas, Marcello Trotta and Harry Forrester all shook off knocks to play in that game, while Paul Hayes, Sam Saunders and Jake Reeves are options for Rosler should he wish to tinker with his starting line-up.

Meanwhile, young defender Alfie Mawson has joined non-league Maidenhead on loan.

Cheltenham manager Mark Yates could welcome back Jeff Goulding into his squad following his recovery from a leg injury.

The striker has missed his side's last two games after picking up a knock but is available to face the Valiants.

Midfielder Marlon Pack could return to the starting XI having been rested by the manager.

Yates will give late fitness tests to a number of players but could have a fully-fit squad to pick from.

He told Cheltenham's official club website: "Russ Penn took one hell of a whack on Tuesday night but from the conversation I've had with the physio, it's that there's no way he wants to be left out and that's the attitude I want.

"There are a few injuries with Jermain McGlashan taking a heavy whack, Darryl Duffy feels a bit sore but there's no point worrying about it. We'll assess what we've got and see where we are."

Port Vale boss Micky Adams will be without the services of Jennison Myrie-Williams.

The 24-year-old winger will serve a one-match ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season against Chesterfield.

His absence comes as a big blow to Adams having been ever-present so far this season, scoring seven goals.

Fellow midfielders Robert Taylor and Chris Shuker are expected to battle it out for a starting role.

Adams has no further injury or suspension worries ahead of the game as they look to return to winning ways.

Last weekend's defeat to in-form Chesterfield extended their losing streak to three matches in all competitions but Vale remain five points behind leaders Gillingham in second place.

Dons boss Karl Robinson is hoping Patrick Bamford will be fit enough to feature.

The teenage striker, who joined on loan from Chelsea last month, is currently with his parent club receiving treatment on a hamstring problem.

The injury has ruled Bamford out of his last two matches, but Robinson remains hopeful he will link up with them again before the weekend.

Midfielder Daniel Powell returned for last Saturday's defeat to Brentford after recovering from a hamstring problem but had to settle for a place on the bench.

Powell is back in contention for a starting role as Robinson looks to bounce back from their first loss since October.

Hartlepool boss John Hughes could have Peter Hartley available this weekend.

The central defender missed last weekend's home defeat to Stevenage with conjunctivitis, but has trained this week and should come into contention.

But fellow defender Neil Austin remains absent as he serves the third instalment of a four-game ban following two red cards this season.

Apart from that Hughes has no other injury concerns and Simon Walton will be pushing for a start after a hamstring injury restricted him to the bench against Gary Smith's side last week, while Luke James also made a substitute's return following a double hernia operation.

Pools, 10 points adrift at the foot of the table, are chasing their first win under Hughes and their first success since September 1 - a run of 20 games in all competitions.

Dagenham boss John Still has the luxury of a fully-fit squad for the visit of the Bees.

Midfielder Dominic Green and forward Josh Scott have returned to contention, but both are short of match practice.

A planned game against Ebbsfleet in midweek, which would have given the pair a much-needed run-out, was called off due to a frozen pitch.

Still has named the same side for the last three games, as the Daggers have picked up six points, and is not expected to tinker with his line-up.

Dagenham have won four of their last six games and have not been beaten at home since losing to Northampton in September. Since then they have gone six unbeaten in front of their own supporters and welcome a Bees side who have only won once on their travels.

Barnet will have to make at least one change to their starting line-up.

Defender Krystian Pearce will be unavailable as his three-month loan spell from Notts County came to an end after last weekend's 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon.

Pearce's departure is likely to result in a debut for Andy Iro, the former MLS player who is on loan at Underhill from Stevenage.

Midfielder John Oster is closing in on a return after being sidelined since late October with an ankle problem, so he will be assessed.

But striker Collins John is not expected to have recovered from the thigh problem that has restricted him to just two appearances since joining the club in October.

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