The U21s return to the Toughsheet Community Stadium as they look to extend their unbeaten run at the venue this season, writes Pete Oliver.
The young Whites have won two and drawn one of their three fixtures played at Wanderers’ home ground so far this term and now take on QPR in the Premier League Cup tomorrow (Monday) night.
One of those two wins came against the Hoops in the Professional Development League and Julian Darby’s side will now be looking for a repeat in the group stage of the cup.
Wanderers currently sit bottom of Group A with two points from three matches and may need to win all of the return games against Rangers, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton to have a chance of progressing to the knock-out stages.
The Whites – beaten by QPR in their opening group fixture in August – will also be looking to bounce back from a 6-2 loss to Huddersfield Town last week as the current league leaders suffered a second league defeat of the season.
Wanderers are set to welcome back forward Toby Ritchie after missing the last two games due to concussion protocols but winger Max Lott (above) is likely to be travelling with the first-team squad to Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night after making a senior debut off the bench in Saturday’s loss to Bristol City.
Midfielders Harry Leigh and Lucas Kirkpatrick will not be part of Darby’s squad after featuring in Northern Premier League action on loan at Ashton United and FC United of Manchester, respectively, on Saturday.
Kick-off at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Monday night is at 7pm with admission open to all and costing £3 adults and £1 concessions, payable by card at the gate at turnstile D.
Meanwhile, two of Wanderers’ U18s have also gone on youth loans to gain competitive first-team experience.
Striker Dan Ogboru and defender Charlie Quirk have joined North-West Counties Premier Division side Euxton Villa and were involved for the first time in a 2-1 loss to Longridge Town on Saturday.