Exeter vs Brighton preview

Posted Monday, January 03, 2011 by Givemesport.com

Exeter host leaders Brighton hoping to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat at Southampton.

Paul Tisdale's men had not played since a 5-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday but he refused to be downbeat, saying: "We will always continue to attack and there's nothing really to criticise the players for."

Striker James Norwood will not feature after joining non-league Eastbourne on a one-month loan deal.

Goalkeeper Artur Krysiak had been sidelined by flu but returned to the bench for the trip to St Mary's. He will be in Tisdale's thoughts after `keeper Paul Jones conceded four.

Midfielder James Dunne also missed training time last week through illness but was included among the substitutes and may feature against the Seagulls.

Strikers Jamie Cureton and Richard Logan are the club's joint-top scorers with eight goals apiece and will be key to the Grecians resuming winning ways.

Brighton`s Inigo Calderon misses out as he serves the second game of a three-match ban.

The defender was sent off for a crunching tackle on Charlton`s Therry Racon on December 29.

Winger Craig Noone joined the Seagulls from Plymouth on New Year's Day and will return to Devon with his new club.

Boss Gus Poyet said: "Noone is available and it's the type of match where we need to make the pitch big."

Alan Navarro remains a long-term absentee with cruciate ligament damage. The midfielder is not expected to return to full fitness until at least mid-February.

Striker Glenn Murray hit a hat-trick in the 5-0 demolition of Leyton Orient and should continue alongside Chris Wood.

Young striker Chris Holroyd made a 20-minute substitute appearance following a successful loan spell at Stevenage and will hope to be involved against the Grecians.