Banned Poppies duo to miss Spennymoor trip

Kettering Town will be without two key players when they head to Spennymoor Town on Saturday.
Michael Richens, pictured during the 1-0 win over Farsley Celtic last weekend, will miss Kettering Town' next two matches due to suspension. Picture by Alison BagleyMichael Richens, pictured during the 1-0 win over Farsley Celtic last weekend, will miss Kettering Town' next two matches due to suspension. Picture by Alison Bagley
Michael Richens, pictured during the 1-0 win over Farsley Celtic last weekend, will miss Kettering Town' next two matches due to suspension. Picture by Alison Bagley

Midfielder Ben Milnes will serve a one-match ban for the trip to the north-east after he was sent-off in the 1-1 draw at Brackley Town on New Year’s Day.

And fellow midfielder Michael Richens is also starting a two-match suspension after accumulating 10 yellow cards this season, meaning he will miss Saturday’s clash and the derby match with Brackley at Latimer Park next Tuesday.

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Richens grabbed the only goal of the game as Kettering beat Farsley Celtic 1-0 last weekend having replaced Milnes who was forced off with an early injury.

Milnes looks set to be fit for the return clash with Brackley next Tuesday while boss Paul Cox also delivered positive news on the fitness of Aaron O’Connor and Lindon Meikle, who has missed the last few games due to a knee injury.

“Ben is going to be okay,” Cox said.

“In the end, it was precautionary because he felt a twinge in his hamstring.

“I spoke to him earlier in the week and he thinks he will be okay for Tuesday night and it will be good to have him back because he has done well since I have been at the club.

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“With Lindon, he did some light training on Tuesday night and we will see how he reacts after the next training session after that.

“Spennymoor might be a game too soon for him but you never know with Lindon because he has always recovered quickly from injuries.

“And Aaron trained again on Tuesday and looked a bit sharper, which is excellent for us.”

The Poppies should also have Northampton Town loanee Jay Williams available again this weekend after he missed the win over Farsley due to illness while it is understood the club are in talks with Harrogate Town over the possibility of renewing the loan deal for left-back Matthew Taylor after his initial deal expired at the weekend.