BURTON Albion’s seven-goal leading marksman Alex MacDonald remains doubtful for tomorrow’s Sky Bet League Two clash at York City.

But fellow winger Lucas Akins, who scored in September’s first meeting between the two clubs, could make his first start for more than two months.

Ex-Burnley and Plymouth attacker MacDonald, nominated for December’s Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month award, has been crocked since Boxing Day when he clattered into the Pirelli Stadium advertising hoardings and injured his knee during a 2-0 victory over Tranmere.

Akins, though, is in line for a return to the first XI after coming on as a substitute during the Brewers’ last two contests after an ankle injury.

Burton boss Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink could also still be without centre-back Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, meaning midfielder and skipper John Mousinho, who netted spectacularly against the Minstermen earlier in the season, will carry on in defence with the transfer-listed Ian Sharps being overlooked for selection.

Midfielder Lee Bell is also currently out of favour and goalkeeper Dean Lyness is out due to a broken leg.

But the second-placed Brewers’ injury problems have had a minimal impact on their promotion push.

Burton are unbeaten in seven matches and have only lost once in the ten fixtures since former Chelsea and Holland striker Hasselbaink took over as manager when Gary Rowett departed for Birmingham City in mid-November.

The Staffordshire side have also not conceded more than a solitary goal in their last 12 league fixtures but have not won any of their last four away games, sharing the spoils with Portsmouth (1-1), Southend (0-0) and Exeter (1-1) following a 1-0 loss at Shrewsbury.

Hasselbaink has called on his team to create more chances, meanwhile, for front two Jacob Blyth and Stuart Beavon.

Leicester striker Blyth, who extended his loan spell from the King Power Stadium until the end of the season this week, has failed to net in six matches, while one-time Preston and Wycombe forward Beavon is without a goal from five outings.

Tomorrow’s visitors are likely to include two former on-loan Minstermen in their side.

Midfielder Robbie Weir is yet to net in 28 appearances this term and centre-back George Taft has played 23 times, netting once.

Burton (probable): McLaughlan, Edwards, Mousinho, Taft, McCrory, Maynard, Weir, Lenihan, Akins, Beavon, Blyth.