After winning their first point in five on Tuesday night at Southport, Leamington are back on home ground as they look to continue their good home run with the visit of Brackley Town.

A Dan Turner penalty three minutes into injury time on Tuesday sparked joyous celebrations between the Brakes players and the two man media team behind the goal with the spot kick giving them their first point in five games. 

Friday's visitors didn't play on Tuesday night, with the last time they took to the grass against York City last Saturday. A Jimmy Armson goal early on kept the Saints at top of the table.

  • Team news

A paper thin squad through injuries forced Paul Holleran to rotate more than half of his side who started against Spennymoor at the weekend. Jake Weaver,, Melis Bushaj, Connor Taylor, Junior English, Callum Gittings and Charlie Williams all came into the starting XI. 

Dan Turner came on late on at Southport and tucked away the equalising penalty - his second appearance after injury. Steph Morley was rested on the bench, as was Jack Edwards and Devon Kelly-Evans - the two latter did come on in the second period. Goalkeeper Callum Hawkins also dropped to the bench, and Adam Walker fell out of the squad completely with injury.

Brackley are also suffering from injuries, with their website detailing that manager Kevin Wilkin "will be hoping for their return before the end of the season".

  • Predicted lineups

Leamington: Hawkins, Meredith, Morley, Clarke, Mace, Lane, Williams, Gittings, Turner, Edwards, Kelly-Evans

Brackley Town: Lewis, Richards, Franklin, Murombedzi, Lomas, Lowe, Dean, Armson, Ndlovu, Gordon, Walker

  • Ones to watch

When Devon Kelly-Evans came on in midweek, Leamington looked to gain a spring in their step which ultimately ended in DKE winning the penalty that would allow Leamington to level the scores.

The former Coventry City youngster was signed from fellow Warwickshire outfit Nuneaton Borough who ply their trade in the Southern Premier League Central. Since signing, the winger has made 31 appearances and his pace may be key against a resilient Saints defence. 

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On the topic of defence, captain Gaz Dean has been at the heart of Brackley's impressive defensive record. His leadership and defensive qualities will drive Brackley on to try and achieve automatic promotion to the Vanarama National League.

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  • Previous meeting

A late goal from Junior English was not enough to cancel out two Brackley goals, as the Saints took all three points on August Bank Holiday Monday at St James Park.

  • What the managers have said

Brakes boss Paul Holleran knows how to get out of a sticky patch as the longest serving manager in the league, and he told Leamington's social media after the Southport win that "we've got plenty of excuses but we don't look for them. We keep working hard, trying to do the right things and I'm a great believer in hard work rewards.

"The boys are working hard and I'm looking forward to the game (against Brackley)"

In his post-match interview after the York win, Kevin Wilkin noted that despite the Saints topping the table, there "is still a lot of hard work to do, we'll work right through the week and look forward to a massive weekend". 

  • Key clashes

Both sides are resilient in defence. Brackley have conceded the least amount of goals in the league, only shipping in 19 - one of those against Leamington. The Warwickshire side have the best defence outside of the top five, but their defensive solidity is evened out by their attacking troubles being the third lowest scorers in the league.

Your Co-op Community Stadium is not a happy hunting ground for Saturday's visitors from Northamptonshire. The Saints have failed to win (in 90 minutes - one Southern League Cup penalty win) in any of their eleven prior attempts on Harbury Lane.

  • How to watch

There will be no television coverage of this National League North clash. A large attendance is expected inside the ground, but if you cannot attend then BrakesLiveFM will be providing live commentary.

Kick off at Your Co-op Community Stadium is 15:00 BST.