LEE CLARK is already looking forward to Tuesday’s reserve derby at Bradford City (7.00).
Most of those on the bench for today’s big League I match at Millwall can expect to be involved at Valley Parade.
And a string of up-and-coming youngsters should also feature in the third totesport.com League East Division fixture of the campaign.
There was a mix of youth and experience on show against Newcastle at the Galpharm on Tuesday, when two late goals condemned Town to a 4-2 defeat.
Keeper Matt Glennon, James Berrett, who played at right-back, midfielders Michael Collins and Jim Goodwin, Robbie Williams, on the left side of midfield rather than defence, and frontman Robbie Simpson, who scored both Town goals, all got the chance to press their claims for starting XI involvement.
Clark was an interested spectator, and said: “Reserve matches are going to be very important for us this season.
“It’s crucial that the senior players who are not starting matches maintain sharpness, because they are sure to be needed at some stage.
“On good surfaces like the Galpharm there are fewer worries about players picking up niggly injuries.
“We’ll be taking the same approach at Bradford, and because we don’t have reserve matches for the next two weeks (the next is against Grimsby at Emley on Wednesday, October 14, when kick-off is 2.00), we’ll look at arranging behind- closed-doors games.”
