LEE NOVAK is desperate for the chance to face Yeovil when Town return to the bread and butter of League I business at the Galpharm tomorrow lunchtime (12.00) after missing out on facing boyhood favourites Newcastle in the Carling Cup.

The 20-year-old Geordie striker who was a regular at St James’ Park as a child watched from the bench as his teammates pushed the Toon all the way before losing a thrilling second-round contest 4-3 on Wednesday.

Ex-Gateshead player Novak was later told by boss Lee Clark that had it not been for the injuries suffered by right-back Lee Peltier (concussion and cheek) and midfielder Danny Drinkwater (groin), he might well have been handed a first appearance at the famous Tyneside venue.

“Lee has done ever so well for me, and I wish I could have got him out there, because I know what it would have meant to him,” said Clark, himself a former Newcastle player and coach, who was today checking on the pair who were forced off during the tie.

“Losing Pelts and Danny meant I had to make changes I wouldn’t have done otherwise (James Berrett and Lionel Ainsworth came on) and unfortunately, Lee lost out.

“But he remains a key player and certainly one who will have a big influence this season.”

Despite his midweek disappointment, Novak, who started three and featured as a substitute in the other two games Town played pre-Newcastle, is pleased with the way things have gone in his first month at senior level.

“The move here really couldn’t have been any better,” said the former Gretna academy and Newcastle Blue Star player, who is settled in Huddersfield with girlfriend Danielle.

“We’ve had a good start to the season apart from last Saturday’s (1-0) defeat at Bristol Rovers and it’s been great to be involved all the way through.

“A year ago I was playing for Newcastle Blue Star in the UniBond League in front of 30 people and a dog and now, after enjoying a promotion season at Gateshead, I’m playing in front of 12,000-plus and really enjoying everything about it.

“The lads have made me very welcome and it’s given me a lot of confidence that the manager trusts me to do a job in his team, especially as I haven’t played professionally before.

“The supporters have also been unbelievable to me, giving me great backing and helping me along and I’m just trying to do my best for them.

“All I’ve tried to do is come into the club and work hard and, so far, it’s gone as well as I could have hoped. There’s a fantastic spirit in the camp, we all get on well together and the staff have been superb.”

While Novak hopes to add to his one goal so far (from the penalty spot in the 7-1 rout of Brighton, Jordan Rhodes and Theo Robinson aim to maintain their hot form as seventh-placed Town aim to make it four wins from four home games this time around.

Ex-Watford man Robinson notched a brace at St James’, the second from the penalty spot, to take his season’s tally to five while former Ipswich player Rhodes, who needed four staples in a head wound sustained in a first-half clash with Ryan Taylor but should be fine to face Yeovil, has six after his well-taken Gallowgate goal.

Clark, of course, goes into the clash with the ninth-placed Somerset side minus midfield pair Tom Clarke, who has undergone knee surgery, and Gary Roberts, who serves the second of a three-game ban following his retrospective red card against Bristol Rovers.

That could mean a place for fit-again Jim Goodwin, he has got over his knee operation.

Yeovil boss Terry Skiverton will be looking for another big performance from Town old boy Danny Schofield, who netted in last Saturday’s 3-3 home draw with Leyton Orient.

On-goal Spurs striker Jon Obika also struck in that game, and Skiverton warned: “You know that when Jon gets the ball on his favoured foot he’ll put it in the net and score goals.

“He’s got a good goals to game ratio and I know that scoring the first of his second spell with us will really lift his confidence.”