Early team news as United prepare for Ashton Gate clash
Michael Raynes is a major doubt as United head for Bristol City in the first round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday evening.The defender landed awkwardly while challenging for the ball in the Burton Albion penalty area on Saturday and is the U’s’ one injury doubt as they travel to the Robins:
“Raynesy is a brave lad and will want to play I am sure” Michael Appleton told Yellow Player earlier today. “But he landed badly and is not moving very freely at all. We will keep an eye on him but Johnny Mullins came on and did very well alongside Jake Wright. We’ve not had the best of luck with the three centre-halves in terms of injury so far but with Sam Long as well we have a few options in that position.”
The one enforced change will be in goal where Max Crocombe comes in for the ineligible George Long. Long, on loan from Sheffield United, cannot feature in the Capital One Cup, although fellow loanees Joe Riley and Carlton Morris are both available:
“Max has been unlucky” Michael said. “He is a very promising keeper and we know he will want to come into the side and show us what he can do. That is great, to have two good young keepers pushing each other all the way.”
In Long’s absence one of the Development Squad goalkeepers is likely to feature as cover for Crocombe on the bench at Ashton Gate. Eddie Cavanagh is a second year scholar while first year Jack Stevens played in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Cheltenham Town.
See Michael Appleton’s thoughts on the game in Yellow Player right now.
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