Burton Albion FC vs Walsall - Burton to assess duo ahead of Walsall clash

Burton will check on midfielder Calum Butcher and forward Mason Bennett ahead of the home clash with fellow title challengers Walsall.

Both players are nursing niggles following the defeat at Southend on Monday night. Butcher had to come off with a calf injury while Bennett pulled up with a tight hamstring.

Elsewhere on the injury front, forward Timmy Thiele continues to struggle with a groin problem sustained during a reserve-team game against Port Vale a fortnight ago.

Albion boss Nigel Clough, whose side are four points clear at the top of the table and a further two points in front of Walsall, has the likes of Callum Reilly, Lucas Akins, Anthony O'Connor and Tom Flanagan vying for recalls.

Walsall could hand a debut to new loan signing Josh Wakefield after he joined from Bournemouth until the end of the season.

The midfielder has been training with the Saddlers for a number of weeks and may make the move permanent in the summer.

James O'Connor could return following a dead leg that forced him to miss the 2-1 defeat to promotion rivals Wigan last week - a result which saw Walsall lose ground on the top two.

Midfielder Isaiah Osbourne is training in the gym following a long-term knee injury which has kept him out for the season.