Drury and Pugh set to come in from the cold? Charlton Preview
Thursday, 7th Nov 2013 18:36

It looks unlikely Brian McDermott will be able to call on Stephen Warnock or Sam Byram for Saturday's trip to Charlton, so the Leeds boss dropped a massive hint over two of the "forgotten men" at Elland Road.

Warnock limped out of last weekend's win over Yeovil with an ankle problem, Byram who has hardly featured this season is troubled with a thigh injury. McDermott confirmed Warnock had an injection and he was "hopeful" he would be fit for the Middlesbrough game on November 23rd. Byram had not trained until today and was considered "a risk" by the Leeds chief.

McDermott also dropped the names of Danny Pugh and Adam Drury now both available having been injured and largely forgotten as far as the first team is concerned. "Potentially" either or both could be involved McDermott hinted.

One Leeds blogger this week made a decent argument for the return of Pugh, although it had to be said Jason Pearce did well as a left-wing back when Warnock went off. I am not one of these fans who vilifies Pugh and don't think he is quite in the bracket of dodgy signings such as Paul Rachubka and Ryan Hall for example, incidentally Hall returned to Thorp Arch this week following his "twitter gate" scandal but I don't think he will be playing at Charlton as disciplinary action is still "ongoing".

Drury too seemed unlucky with injuries and ignored by successive managers, I'm sure he could do a job at left-wing back but my money is on Jason Pearce continuing in that role. With Drury and Pugh out for so long surely it makes sense to start them on the bench?

So my hunch is we will keep the same 3-5-2 formation and remain pretty much unchanged from Saturday although I'm confident (and hopeful) that Dexter Blackstock will start up front alongside Ross McCormack for his full Leeds debut.

Charlton are unbeaten in five, returning from Birmingham last weekend and clearly are in much better form than their 17th place suggests. Charlton have just one win at home this season, we are poor away so I'm hedging my bets on a 1-1 draw.

Photo: Action Images

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