Hussey and Long set to be absent as Duff makes bow as Cheltenham boss

Posted Friday, September 14, 2018 by PA

Cheltenham play for the first time under new boss Michael Duff when they take on Crewe at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday.

Duff was announced as permanent successor to the sacked Gary Johnson earlier this week.

The former Robins player has taken charge with the club having won two of their last three league games following last month’s departure of Johnson and appointment of Russell Milton as caretaker boss, including the 3-1 victory at Northampton last time out.

It has looked unlikely that full-backs Chris Hussey and Sean Long will be ready to return to action in this fixture.

Crewe’s Kevin O’Connor is in contention for the game.

The defender was taken off on a stretcher during the first half of Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy match at Tranmere following a heavy collision. He was checked over at hospital that night and has been allowed to resume training.

There could be a debut for fellow recent loan signing Corey Whelan, who will be checked after arriving back from international duty with the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s.

Eddie Nolan (calf), Paul Green (knee) and Harry Pickering (hamstring) are all sidelined.