Quieter November could be a boost for Albion
AFTER playing eight matches in October, Burton Albion will play only four in November – all at home – and manager Dino Maamria is hoping that will ease the pressure on a small squad in which a number of players are struggling with knocks or returning from longer-term injuries.
With one November game done last week, there are now League One games against Charlton Athletic, tomorrow, and Plymouth Argyle and an FA Cup second round tie against Chippenham Town to come before December.
Apart from potentially giving players some much-needed time for recovery, Maamria knows it will also give them more time to work things out on the training pitch.
“It’s good that they are all at home and we don’t have Tuesday games in the month,” said Maamria.
“It’s good for us to build certain things that we haven’t had time to do, really, in the past, certainly in October, when we had eight games.
“The big concern is that on the back of a very busy October, we have some knocks and bruises.
“At least having one game a week, only four games in November, gives us a bit of breathing space to get some players back on the pitch, hopefully.”
A couple of big steps were taken on Tuesday when Michael Mancienne, who had a knee operation before the season, and Ciaran Gilligan, who injured his hamstring in only his second appearance of the season, played for an hour in the Birmingham Senior Cup tie against Highgate United.
Both are in line to be in the squad tomorrow after coming through that test without any reaction.
“Mance has been out for a long time and Gilly for six or seven weeks,” said Maamria.
“He was really terrific when I first got into this position and I played him and we’ve missed him.
“Mance has been a big miss for us, too, with his experience, know-how and presence in the dressing room. It’s fantastic to have seen them play 60 minutes on Tuesday.
“Our squad is light. They came through well and I will get them involved.”
Teenage winger Jakub Niemczyk, who is in his first season with a pro contract might also come into the first team reckoning.
Niemczyk also made his return – after breaking his leg last season – in the game against Highgate and Maamria has heard good things about his performance.
“Kuba (Niemczyk), the young first-year pro, scored a fantastic goal on Tuesday,” said the manager.
“He’s back from a double leg fracture a year ago, he played really well and, hopefully, he’s one who will start pushing for a first-team start.”
Among other injured players, this weekend comes too soon for captain John Brayford as he fights off a calf strain, while there are also doubts about Sam Winnall, Mustapha Carayol and now defender Adrian Mariappa.
Mariappa was withdrawn in the FA Cup win against Needham Market last Saturday – and not because Maamria felt the game was won.
“I wouldn’t have taken him off at 1-0 in a Cup tie,” he said.
“He had tightness in his glute and did not train Monday and Tuesday, so we’ll have a look at him but he is a concern.”
Loanee Elliot Thorpe was also out with a knee injury last week – although parent club Luton Town did not want him Cup-tied anyway – but he has trained and could be involved again.
The Brewers are still waiting for on-loan defender Corrie Ndaba to shake off a calf injury, too.
“I feel sorry for him because he’s a good guy who works his socks off,” said Maamria.
“I’m sure he will come back stronger for it. It’s been unfortunate for him.”
Burton Albion’s FA Cup second round tie at home to Chippenham Town will be played on Sunday, November 27, with a 2pm kick-off.
While the game will not be televised live, this is because the game has been selected for “extended TV highlights.”