RYAN Austin could be left out of Burton Albion's starting line-up for a Blue Square Premier crunch clash tomorrow - after receiving glowing praise from caretaker boss Roy McFarland.
The central defender has been the model of consistency since being asked to fill in at left-back during the absence of Aaron Webster.
But Webster has put his injury problems behind him and looks set to return to the side at the Trade Recruitment Stadium, kick-off 3pm, when McFarland's table toppers take on third-placed Cambridge United.
The Brewers boss said: "Ryan has been involved in every game since I've been here and I can't remember him putting a foot wrong.
"First of all, he did well at centre half and more recently he's done a fantastic job for us while Aaron has been out of the side.
"But he is not a natural left-footer - and that is something Aaron gives us to improve the balance of the team.
"He has been gradually rebuilding his fitness and, after seeing him play for 75 minutes in the reserves this week, I think he is ready (to start).
"That might seem hard on Ryan, but he knows I have a high regard for him, and I believe he will have a big part to play not only in what remains of this season but also in the future."
McFarland is planning one other change to the side that drew 0-0 at Woking last time out to extend their unbeaten run to 17 games.
The Brewers boss is almost certain to give Martin Butler his full debut against his former club.
The 34-year-old striker has so far been used only sparingly from the substitutes' bench.
But McFarland believes the trip to Cambridge is the perfect time give Butler his first start.
He said: "I think Martin will be raring to go against his former club, but more than that I do think we need to tweak things a little bit up front.
"I didn't think our strikers held the ball up long enough at Woking, certainly not in the first half, and that affected the performance.
"Holding the ball is one of Butt's strengths and he will also help to freshen things up a little bit."
Greg Pearson is likely to be the man to drop to the bench after a barren spell of form.
The summer signing still tops Albion's scoring chart with 17 goals, but has not scored since the 2-0 defeat of Mansfield Town at Field Mill on December 29.
Winger Keith Gilroy can expect to keep his place despite a below-par performance at Woking, with McFarland looking for him to revive his usually effective partnership with Webster.
The Brewers boss said: "Gilly didn't do particularly well at Woking, but I think that had a lot to do with pitch because I don't think I have ever seen him slip and slide as much as he did there.
"But it will be a better surface at Cambridge he'll be in my side, as will Marc Goodfellow.
"We'll be encouraging the boys to get the ball out wide to them as much as possible."
"More than anything else, we need to be solid and strong defensively, but we also have the firepower to win games and that is what we'll go there trying to do."
ALBION Independent Supporters' coach to Cambridge departs from the Beacon Hotel, in Tutbury Road, Burton, at 11.30am.
Further information is available by telephoning 07826 230365.