Fleetwood Town

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Gateshead v Fleetwood Town

Ian Bogie is keen to extend Gateshead's unbeaten run when they host Fleetwood Town at Gateshead International on Tuesday night.

The Tynesiders, who are sixth on the Blue Square Bet Premier table, earned a 1-1 draw at Forest Green Rovers on the weekend. And while Bogie was content with the result, he is likely to tamper with his starting line-up for the first time this season.

"We have made a solid start but I may change the side for the first time," he told his club's official website.

"We have a strong squad and there is a lot of competition for places, so I might freshen things up a bit.

"The onus is on us to win our home games. We want to make the International Stadium a fortress and a difficult place for sides to come to.

"Micky Mellon has done a good job at Fleetwood but we've had the upper hand on them recently, when we have played very well, and hopefully that will continue.

"If we can pick up all three points it could lift us into the top three at this early stage - that is a great incentive ahead of Saturday's derby at Darlington."

Former Newcastle United midfielder Andy Ferrell could be in danger should Bogie revert to a 4-4-2 formation, while striker Jonny Allan may return after missing the Rovers game with a knee injury.

Fleetwood, meanwhile, suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday at the hands of league leaders Luton.

The big spending newcomers were hammered 3-0 at home and suffered a further blow when central defender Paul Linwood was sent off, meaning he will miss the upcoming contest.

Nevertheless, the 11th-placed side, who turned professional in the summer, are a tight unit having retained 15 players from their promotion winning squad.

They have also signed several experienced campaigners such as former Carlisle United striker Magno Vieira, leaving manager Micky Mellon optimistic on their prospects.

"It's definitely going to make us fitter and the team spirit has become stronger because the players have spent more time together than ever before, including the training camp in Austria," he said.

"We are delighted to have added some experienced lads who have played a lot at this level, and they will compliment the quality we already have from last season."