Kettering Town v Gateshead - Match Preview
Gateshead will hand a first start to on loan Newcastle United striker Phil Airey at crisis club Kettering Town on Tuesday.
Captain Ben Clark returns at the centre of defence after completing a one match ban and new signing Liam Hatch will be on the bench
Former Peterborough United and Darlington front man Hatch came through today's training session after recovering from a hamstring strain.
On the injury front Kris Gate is ahead of schedule and could play in the reserves Durham Challenge Cup quarter-final tie against Shildon next Monday.
Josh Gillies is close to fitness and will feature in Wednesday's Central League game against Hartlepool United reserves.
Striker Nathan Fisher will have an injection in his groin with a view to returning to action against Shildon.
Airey meanwhile will play in a three pronged attack at Nene Park tomorrow alongside 27 goal hit man Jon Shaw and the mercurial Yemi Odubade.
Two changes are made after Saturday's frustrating 3-3 draw against Lincoln City and manager Ian Bogie has targeted all three points in Northamptonshire.
"Kettering are fighting for their lives and their futures, and while they are short on numbers they have a hardcore of good experienced players," said Bogie.
"We will certainly not be taking them lightly and are under no illusions it will be a difficult game. We can't afford to drop our guard as it is a game we have to win.
"Kettering have not won for a long time but they have to win at some stage.
"We have to make sure it is not against us and get the three points that could take us back into a play-off position.
"Having Ben Clark back will strengthen the back four and it will be good to see Phil Airey make his first start on loan from Newcastle United.
"It is a game we are looking forward to. Nene Park is an excellent stadium and we go there in good form with just one defeat from our last ten games.
"We have plenty of firepower and options, and I am looking to bring in at least one central defender before the end of the month."
Kettering, under a transfer embargo and facing a winding up order on February 6th, had only 13 players on duty at Wrexham on Saturday.
One of those, long serving striker Jean-Paul Marna, was sent off at the Racecourse Ground and will not feature against Gateshead.
The Poppies have gone 14 games without a win, nine of which have been defeats, including the last four games.
Those four Conference games saw 17 goals conceded, Kettering currently third bottom, having won only two of their 14 games at Nene Park - the worst home record in the division.
As well as Marna, central defender Jaime Navarro is unable to play against Gateshead due to ankle ligament damage.
The troubled Poppies are on to their 4th manager of the season with Ashley Westwood the latest in charge in a caretaker capacity.
Despite all the problems on and off the pitch Westwood remains upbeat after the latest setback at Wrexham.
"The Conference is one of those leagues where anyone can beat anyone else," said Westwood.
"Although a 4-1 scoreline at Wrexham on Saturday looks like we were hammered, it could have been different if we had defended better at two set-pieces.
"There are a lot of games to play and even after seeing the boys in one game, I believe we can get some points and turn it around.
"I have spoken to four or five people about Gateshead and have managed to get quite a bit of information on them.
"I know how they play and we will be working on that.
"We will be looking to take the game to them and it will be a bit different to what we did on Saturday - I am certain we will give a good account of ourselves."
Gateshead drew 1-1 with Kettering at the International Stadium in August and then beat the Poppies 3-2 in the 1st round of the FA Trophy in December.
. Tonight's game against Kettering Town at Nene Park will be broadcast live online by BBC Radio Northampton.
Nathan Fisher in action against Kettering.
Kris Gate.
