Poku the only doubt for Town

The youngster still hasn’t recovered from the poor challenge he received at Gateshead two weeks ago, and boss Paul Buckle isn’t going to take any chances with Wembley at stake as he said: “Poku was really upset. He was close, but not quite right and I’m not someone who will play someone who is doubtful.

“With (Amari) Morgan-Smith coming back, he had done a lot of training and was ready, so I thought it right to bring him into it.

“If someone’s doubtful, then I don’t think you’ll ever see me playing them. I don’t think it’s right on the rest of the squad, and the player himself because he’s not going to do himself justice.

“He (Poku) is the only one who is a real doubt at the moment for Monday, but with his attitude and his commitment to the club, I wouldn’t put it past him to be ready for Monday.”

Although suffering from cramp towards the end of Thursday night, long-serving midfielder Keith Keane is expected to be fit to take his place in the side.

The 25-year-old, who has now made 282 appearances was superb in the first leg, although Buckle is hoping to focus his efforts at times tomorrow.

He added: “I spoke to Keane in my office. He tries to cover every blade of grass and I certainly don’t want to take the work ethic out of him, but what I would like to do is channel it a bit more.

“He doesn’t manage to win the first one, he tends to try and go and get the second and third one. He ends up harrying, and sometimes that can go against you.

“Certainly Keith’s energy levels, he’s using them all up on 75-80 minutes. I don’t want to take the edge out of his game, but if he can’t sort out his man, he mustn’t go chasing or harrying as he’ll run out of steam.

“He’s lead in the middle and I spoke with him a couple of weeks ago about what the club means to him. He’s been here a long time and lets not ignore that, lets look at that and see that as a strength.”

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