Date: 8th October 2016 at 9:16am
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It’s a sign of the quality in League One that six teams won’t be in action this weekend due to international call-ups.

A number of sides will be looking to take advantage of the rest week, although Bury will get the first opportunity to make an impact as they travel to Peterborough United in the early game.

The Shakers were edged out by leaders Scunthorpe United last weekend, but that result is nothing compared to Peterborough’s winless streak. It’s now eight games without a win for the Posh across all competitions, and they’ve only kept one clean sheet at the ABAX Stadium in their last 19 matches – will this be the weekend things change for the better?

21 September 2016 - EFL Cup - 3rd Round - Northampton Town v Manchester United - Alex Revell of Northampton Town - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Cobblers forward Revell – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

If Bury don’t get a positive result, then Scunthorpe will look to extend their Iron-like grip on the automatic promotion places as they host Northampton Town. The Cobblers were edged out in a topsy-turvy five-goal thriller against Bristol Rovers last time out, but will be without Congolese defender Gabriel Zakuani who received his marching orders in injury time in that game.

Alex Revell’s brace will have encouraged manager Robert Page, but the 10-men couldn’t hold out, so will he need to tighten the ship against the free-scoring Scunthorpe?

Third-placed Bradford City welcome a Shrewsbury Town side recovering from the news that manager Micky Mellon has left them to join National League side Tranmere Rovers, taking assistant Mike Jackson with him.

Given that the Shrews languish in 22nd place, following a relegation defying 20th placed finish last season, it’s no great shock that Mellon might depart, but the fact he has chosen to leave under his own volition for a side two divisions below will have sent out a worrying message to die-hard Town fans.

Goalkeeping coach Danny Coyne will take caretaker charge against the Bantams, who will fancy their chances of putting more points on the board in their promotion chase.

Coventry’s enforced week off means that Oldham Athletic can haul themselves off the bottom of the table if they can avoid defeat at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium. Latics manager Stephen Robinson has criticised the attitude of his squad, who have won only one of their first 11 league games.

The Gills on the other hand have signed former Aston Villa midfielder Chris Herd until the end of the season and striker Frank Nouble on a short-term deal. Hope springs eternal in Kent.

A good week this week could leave the others playing catch up.

Full League One fixture list (October 8):

Peterborough vs Bury (12:00)

Millwall P-P Charlton

Swindon vs Bolton

Bradford vs Shrewsbury

Coventry P-P Chesterfield

Gillingham vs Oldham

Rochdale vs Southend

Scunthorpe vs Northampton

Sheffield United P-P Walsall

Oxford United vs AFC Wimbledon (October 9)

MK Dons vs Port Vale (October 9)

 
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