YOUNG Tom Clarke will get another chance to press his first-team claims at the Galpharm tomorrow.

The 17-year-old brother of League I regular Nathan plays against Halifax Reserves (2.00) knowing there's a senior place up for grabs against MK Dons at the weekend.

Clarke will have Steve Yates, Nat Brown and John McCombe as hot competition as manager Peter Jackson looks to replace suspended Efe Sodje at the National Hockey Stadium.

While Junior Mendes will also have a run-out in the important Pontin's Holidays Division I East encounter - second-placed Town are bidding to close a five-point gap on leaders Scunthorpe, who they play in their final fixture - manager Jackson will field half a team of youngsters with his major focus on the defensive line.

"With John McAliskey and Lee Fowler both on Under 21 duty tonight and Michael Collins and James Hand away with the Republic of Ireland Under 19s, it's a chance for some of the other lads to step up," said Jackson, who is having MK Dons watched at Bradford tonight.

"All the lads know Efe is out, so it will be interesting to see how people perform in the game tomorrow."

Anthony Lloyd will not be included against Halifax, even though he has stepped up training following injury, and Sodje misses out because of the hip injury he suffered against Luton.

McAliskey is expected to earn a first Republic cap from the bench against Portugal tonight while Fowler plays for Wales against Germany at Wrexham in a match to be watched by Jackson.

McAliskey is hoping to impress coach Don Givens and earn selection for the European Championship qualifier in Israel at the end of next month.

Pawel Abbott returned to training today after the birth of his first son, Zac, at the weekend.