I'm doing this preview knowing full well that I'm wasting my time because of the in-clement weather and the noon pitch inspection tomorrow.    If the game is called off because of the frozen pitch then this will self destruct very soon after.

We'll be hoping for a better result than the game at their place in November when we lost 1-0, Burgess got sent off and Stuart Watkiss refused to speak to the press following the game.    Ten days later Stuart had left the club so it must have been something someone had said.

Since then his temporary replacement, Martin O'Connor, has had a mixed bag of results with two wins in cup games but just the one point from our two League games since taking over the reins.    If the game is played tomorrow then I think we'll be seeing our first League win under him mainly because Burton are a bit pre-occupied with their forthcoming FA Cup game against Manchester Utd.    Lucky beggars.

According to some sources Iyseden Christie is a doubt because he's got an ankle injury that may or may not respond to treatment in time but we do have Simon Russell now nearing full fitness and MO'C prepared to include himself in the team if necessary.    Not a good idea in my opinion because that will make us too defensive when we need to be more attack minded.    Also our defence has looked pretty solid in recent games so I reckon they deserve to stay as they are for a bit longer.


Burton, with their minds elsewhere, have not said much about our game on their website but they will be without Lee Bell, scorer of the only goal a month ago, now that he has returned to his owners at Crewe.    Gary Rowett could make an appearance after having been sidelined with a hamstring injury and Andy Corbett is doubtful with an eye injury picked up against Tamworth.


If the game is on then we'll be hoping for a positive result with plenty of goals to warm us all up.    If it's off then it's off for a Burton Ale in the pub.


Harriers from:
Danby, Lewis, Hatswell, Burgess, Flynn, Mullins, Ludlow, Jackson, O'Connor, Fleming, McHale, Wayne Graves, Heslop, Hurren, Russell, Penn, Christie, Atieno, Hollis, Sheldon, Wilson, Butler, Blackwood, Thompson.

Burton from:
Crane, Taylor, Deeney, Austin, Tinson, Webster, Ayres, Henshaw, Rowett, Stride, Sedgemore, Hall, Gilroy, Ducros, Anderson, Corbett, Shaw, Todd, Harrad, Eric Graves.