Burton Albion are expecting plenty from Hope Akpan once he breaks his way back into the side.

The former Blackburn Rovers man has not featured for the Brewers since being sent off in their 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on August 15.

He was eligible to return in Saturday's game at Leeds United but had been struggling with an injury suffered in training before the international break, a return to the bench in midweek the closest he has come to action since that Boro loss.

He may yet feature in this afternoon's clash with Fulham.

Burton Albion midfielder Hope Akpan is shown a red card during the 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough
Burton Albion midfielder Hope Akpan is shown a red card during the 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough

Brewers boss Nigel Clough says Akpan has impressed in training, though, and has shown what he can offer Burton when in the team, as he did most notably in the pre-season victory over Leicester City.

And while he has been unable to make much of an early impact, Clough knows there is still time for the ex-Reading man to break into the side and play his part.

"He has to do more, and we are expecting more from him," said the Albion boss.

"We see his ability in training.

"He actually got injured in training not long after being sent off, so he has missed two or three weeks and he has just started training again.

"But when we watch him in training, the ability that he's got, we've got another 40 games to go this season, so he's going to play a role in those."