MARK LILLIS is hoping for good news from Greece today as he continues the countdown to Saturday’s big home showdown with Championship leaders Cardiff.
With Oliver Norwood (foot) and Joel Lynch (hamstring) having withdrawn from the Northern Ireland and Wales squads respectively, Murray Wallace is the only Town player on international duty, with Scotland Under 21s in Korinthos.
Question marks against Lynch and captain Peter Clarke, who had to stay overnight in hospital after being concussed during the 3-0 defeat at Derby on Saturday, mean teenager Wallace, who came off the bench for the second half at Pride Park, could partner Cardiff old boy Anthony Gerrard in the centre of defence in the John Smith’s showdown.
Caretaker manager Lillis is optimistic striker James Vaughan will be fine after also taking a knock to the head against Derby.
But he is still waiting for definitive news on frontman Lee Novak, 17th-placed Town’s joint five-goal top scorer with Vaughan, who suffered a foot injury at Pride Park.
Initial scans show there is no fracture, but further tests will take place today to assess what other damage might have occurred.
He is looking highly unlikely to face Cardiff, and with Jermaine Beckford out for at least a month with a torn hamstring, Alan Lee could start against one of his former clubs.
Midfielder Keith Southern (Achilles) is another who is ruled out against Malky McKay’s side, who have four players, Wales frontman Craig Bellamy, Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall and midfielders Aron Gunnarsson (Iceland) and Kim Bo-Kyung (South Korea), on international duty.
On the plus side, Oscar Gobern and Chris Atkinson could come into contention after appearing in Monday’s development match win at Sheffield United and Lillis said: “We’re monitoring the players day by day and getting on with preparing for a very important game.”
East Yorkshire’s Mark Brown will referee Saturday’s game.
