BURTON Albion boss Paul Peschisolido is hoping Paul Boertien can win his fitness battle and face Barnet in Saturday's League Two encounter at the Pirelli Stadium.
The summer recruit from Walsall suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Grimsby Town.
An X-ray on the former Derby County full-back has not revealed serious damage, but Boertien has not been able to train since the weekend.
However, Peschisolido believes Boertien could still line-up against Ian Hendon’s promotion hopefuls.
The Brewers boss said last night: “Paul’s a tough character and I know he’ll do all he can to make sure he’s in the team against Barnet.
“The good news is that the X-ray has not shown up any ligament problems, but his knee is still swollen.
“That means he hasn’t been able to join in training as yet this week, but we’ve still got two more sessions and I’m hoping he will be involved in at least one of them.
“I don’t think Paul’s anything more than a small doubt at the moment.”
Midfield general Michael Simpson has also been given the all-clear after picking up a shin injury at Grimsby, with Peschisolido saying: “We also arranged for Michael to have an Xray just be sure there was no bone damage.
“Happily, that’s not the case. He’s already done some training this week and I expect he’ll be fine by the weekend.”
Goalkeeper Shane Redmond should be back in Albion’s squad against Barnet after a week away on Republic of Ireland under-21 duty.
The on-loan Nottingham Forest youngster played in the 1-1 draws against Georgia on Friday and Switzerland on Tuesday.
BARNET will be without 25-year-old midfielder Mark Hughes after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Rochdale.
ALBION'S League Two rivals Aldershot Town are looking for a new manager after the departure of Gary Waddock.
The former QPR player has stepped up a division to take charge of Wycombe Wanderers, who last week parted company with Peter Taylor.
Waddock said: “This has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I have had a fantastic time at Aldershot Town.
“The players and the backroom staff have played such a massive part in the success that we have had.”