Grezza and Pato set for return

Last updated : 25 February 2010 By Tony Scholes
Graham Alexander
Graham Alexander - could play against Portsmouth
Alexander has been out since injuring his calf in the game at Bolton last month whilst Martin Paterson hasn't started a game since the Carling Cup defeat a Barnsley when he was stretchered off with a serious knee injury.

It is looking very likely that Paterson will get a start in place of David Nugent who won't be permitted to play against his parent club, but the news that Alexander could be available is a welcome surprise.

Manager Brian Laws said today: "Grezza has got a great chance. He's been working extremely hard over the last week, he has been training with us consistently and he's an important player.

"He will certainly come into my thoughts, particularly for this weekend, because it doesn't matter about his age, it's about his organisation and his communication and his composure that we could do with.

"The sooner we get him back in the team the better so he will certainly be coming into my thoughts, along with the likes of Martin Paterson as well."

On Pato, he added: "He's come back from a long term injury and he has steadily made good progress and has got himself a goal.

"People might not think that second goal last weekend was important but it was to one individual and that was Paterson, because it got him his first goal in the Premier League. With Nugent not available to play against his current club he has to come into the equation."

The news isn't quite so positive on Chris McCann with the manager again confirming he wouldn't be ready for Saturday's game. "Chris is more than likely to be starting in the reserves," Laws said. "We've got two games next week and he will definitely take part in one of those."