THE BIG MATCH

Two of the main promotion contenders in npower League 1 meet at the Galpharm Stadium on Saturday as Huddersfield Town entertain Milton Keynes Dons.

Lee Clark's men have clawed themselves back into the second automatic promotion spot on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run but a disappointing draw to Tranmere Rovers last time out leaves them 10 points adrift of league leaders Charlton Athletic.

This match is Huddersfield's first encounter of 2012 against a team in the top six and a win would really strengthen their position at the top end of the division. Clark and his team will be eager to avoid the Play-Off heartache they have endured over the past two seasons and securing promotion automatically will be at the forefront of their plans.

The Dons, on the other hand, sit just six points behind Town coming into this fixture and have played a game less. A win here for Karl Robinson's men, as well as a three-point haul from their game in hand, would leave them level on points with Huddersfield, highlighting the significance of this clash. MK Dons have been inconsistent of late, though, and are without a win in three matches.

Robinson is aware of the test his side face but is relishing the challenge ahead. He told MK Dons Player: "What a great team Lee Clark has assembled, he's one of the best managers in the country. He has assembled a team that are constantly, year in year out, in the top three.

"The enormity in the task ahead of us is massive and we have to go there in the right frame of mind. We don't fear them, just as they won't fear us either, it's going to be a right ding-dong of a match. I'm extremely looking forward to it."

The home side will be without Gary Roberts, who is recovering from a hernia operation, and there is also doubts surrounding Danny Ward and Alan Lee after they picked up knocks last time out. Kallum Higginbotham will be in line to make his debut following a deadline day move from Falkirk.

The travelling Dons have been boosted by the news that Darren Potter is available again after recovering from an illness and Mathias Kouo-Doube returns following a suspension.

KEEP AN EYE ON

There is another vital clash in League 1 this weekend and it comes from the other end of the division as relegation-threatened Walsall face fellow strugglers Scunthorpe United.

The Saddlers currently have the upper hand over their relegation rivals as they sit just outside of the bottom four, in 20th, on 25 points. Scunthorpe, meanwhile, are also on 25 points but have an inferior goal difference meaning they lie 21st coming into this clash. The Iron have played a game less, though, so a win here would really ease their worries at the foot of the table.

In a bid to avoid their second successive relegation, Scunthorpe, who have only managed one win in 11, secured the services of three players on deadline day. Watford defender David Mirfin has joined on loan until the end of the season whilst Cardiff striker Jon Parkin has signed for an initial one-month loan spell. Free agent Robbie Gibbons has also secured a deal with the North Lincolnshire club after impressing on trial.

Boss Alan Knill was delighted with his acquisitions, he told The Iron Player: "He [David Mirfin] is a good defender and wants to do well, so we're delighted to have him. Jon [Parkin] had other options, but we know him. He brings a lot of qualities to the team and to be able to attract somebody of Jon Parkin's credentials is a real bonus to us. He [Robbie Gibbons] played behind closed doors on Tuesday against Grimsby and he was probably the best player on the pitch. I think he's ready now. When you see him, he's really enthusiastic and the best thing about him is he wanted a chance."

Walsall, on the other hand, had a quiet deadline day and the form guide suggests they aren't far from securing the wins they need to climb up the table.

The West Midlands outfit are without a victory since boxing day but have drawn four of their last six matches. The two games they have lost have only been by a single goal, which will give Dean Smith's men a degree of confidence. They will head to Glanford Park without experienced duo Jon Macken and James Walker, though, after they both picked up hamstring strains in the 1-0 loss to Notts County on Tuesday night.

Walsall midfielder Adam Chambers insists the team will be in the right frame of mind for the all-important relegation clash. He told www.saddlers.co.uk: "We will go there determined to put in a performance. It's a game neither side will want to lose as we both find ourselves at the wrong end of the table. We go into every game looking to win and Saturday will be no different."

ELSEWHERE IN THE DIVISION

Charlton Athletic host Rochdale this week aiming to further cement their place at the top of the table in League 1.

The leaders are in a commanding position at the summit but were below par in midweek, needing an injury-time equaliser to rescue a point against Bury. Chris Powell will be hoping for more from his team this weekend against the Dale, who started well under the leadership of John Coleman with a 3-0 win last time out.

Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United both remain in the mix at the top of the division but currently reside outside of the automatic promotion places. Top spot may be out of reach for the Steel City clubs but second place is certainly still up for grabs. Wednesday, who are level on 54 points with second-placed Huddersfield, will hope to keep the pressure on as they host Yeovil Town. The Blades, on the other hand, are one point adrift but have a game in-hand. They travel to Colchester United this weekend.

Gary Smith will take charge of his first league game as manager of Stevenage as they play Notts County, for the second successive match. The two teams met in the FA Cup Fourth Round last Saturday, which was Smith's first taste of management in English football, and Stevenage ran out 1-0 winners. The former Colorado Rapids boss will want more of the same as he aims to pick up where Graham Westley left off.

Westley, now in the hot seat at Deepdale, will be hungry to get his first victory in charge of Preston North End as Brentford visit Lancashire. The Lilywhites have found goals hard to come by recently but secured the services of Arsenal striker Rhys Murphy on loan in a bid to solve the problem.

Elsewhere, at Adams Park, Wycombe Wanderers meet Tranmere Rovers with both sides managing just three points from their previous six matches.

Exeter City have also struggled of late, picking up just one win in nine, and they face another tough test in the shape of in-form Bournemouth. The Grecians defence is in for a busy afternoon as Matt Tubbs is expected to make his debut for the Cherries following his £800,000 move from Crawley Town.

At the other end of the country, Carlisle United host lowly Chesterfield. The Spireites have boosted their chances of survival with the addition of Peterborough United striker Nicky Ajose on a youth loan until the end of the season.

Ajose was instrumental in Bury's promotion from League 2 last season, scoring 13 goals, and his former club host inconsistent Hartlepool United this weekend. Pools have two wins, two draws and two losses from their last six.

Finally, it's 15th against 16th as Leyton Orient visit Oldham Athletic. The O's will be without key player Stephen Dawson after he was sold to Championship side Barnsley on deadline day.

Keep an eye on Weather Watch and your club website for details of any planned pitch inspections and confirmation of postponements

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