Martin Allen keen to keep things fresh for Barnet’s battle against relegation

Posted Friday, April 06, 2018 by PA

Barnet boss Martin Allen could again look to freshen up his relegation-threatened side for the Sky Bet League Two visit of fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers.

Allen made three changes for the Easter Monday defeat at Stevenage, with teenage defender Joe Payne handed his League debut.

Simeon Akinola, Richard Brindley and David Tutonda are among other options for the rock-bottom Bees, but goalkeeper Jamie Stephens continues to be troubled by a knee problem.

Defender Harry Taylor is still out with a broken metatarsal, while Elliott Johnson and forward Dave Tarpey (both knee) are long-term absentees. Midfielder Mauro Vilhete is expected to miss the rest of the season with an unspecified injury.

Rovers could bring striker Christian Doidge back into the starting XI.

Top-scorer Doidge has returned to fitness after an ankle injury and came off the bench during the second half of the 2-1 home defeat to Colchester on Easter Monday.

Centre-back Farrend Rawson, who had been out with a hip problem, is another option should Rovers boss Mark Cooper look to shuffle the team.

Rovers head into the weekend’s fixtures only six points clear of the dropzone, having played two matches more than Chesterfield.