Burton Albion FC vs Shrewsbury Town preview - JFH waits on duo

Burton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will check on the fitness of Lucas Akins and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff ahead of the top-of-the-table clash with Shrewsbury at the Pirelli Stadium.

Akins has been absent for the past month with a niggling ankle problem and the winger remains a doubt. Central defender Cansdell-Sherriff suffered a calf injury towards the end of the 2-0 Boxing Day win against Tranmere.

Winger Alex MacDonald (knee) and goalkeeper Dean Lyness (broken leg) are definite absentees.

With Lyness out and Remi Matthews' loan from Norwich having expired, it leaves Jon McLaughlin as the only fit goalkeeper available to Hasselbaink. The Dutchman is expected to sign another stopper ahead of Saturday's game.

Shrewsbury are still set to be without James Wesolowski, even though the midfielder is recovering well from a hamstring injury.

The summer signing is back in training after being sidelined since early December but is unlikely to be rushed back this weekend.

Striker Scott Vernon will be hoping to retain his place after working his way back into the starting line-up for the last two matches.

Fellow frontman Andy Mangan could come into contention after regularly appearing as a late substitute recently if boss Micky Mellon does opt to freshen things up following a busy run of fixtures.