Ex-Latics pair in the frame

Matt Palmer

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CONNOR Ripley and Matt Palmer are in line to play against Athletic tonight, Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough has indicated.

Ripley will make his debut for the Brewers in goal against the side he starred for last season, having signed on a season's loan from Middlesbrough earlier this week.

And Palmer, who played a major role for Athletic in midfield in a 19-game spell in 2015-16, is another popular player who will no doubt receive applause before kick-off from the home faithful who remember his major contribution to a fight against relegation.

"It's incredible isn't it," Clough told the Burton Mail, when asked about the chances of Ripley's first game for Burton being against Athletic.

"He spent all last season at Oldham, he comes and his first game is at Oldham away.

"And Matty Palmer as well, he's been there for a spell a season or so ago, so he knows about them.

"We've got people who need a game at this time of the season, as do a lot of the other clubs as well.

"Quite a few of the lads who were on the bench on Saturday will start the game - and we won't be risking anybody.

"And that's not being disrespectful to the Carabao Cup, that just means that we've got a game (tonight) and then Hull and Middlesbrough away in the next seven days.

"That makes it a very tough run for us."

Lloyd Dyer could miss out for Burton tonight after coming off injured in their opening Sky Bet Championship match, a 1-0 home loss to Cardiff City.

Hope Akpan, Tom Naylor and Luke Varney are all set to start at SportsDirect.com Park.

Burton (probable, 4-5-1): Ripley; Naylor, McFadzean, Buxton, Warnock; Sordell, Palmer, Akpan, Naylor, Akins; Varney.