Boro hoping for a first league win at home this season

Stevenage take on Brentford tomorrow (Saturday) with Graham Westley’s men hoping to build on Tuesday evening’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory over MK Dons.

Boro have not won in the league since August 24 when they beat Notts County 1-0, and despite claiming victories over both Ipswich Town (Capital One Cup) and MK in cup competitions this season, they have yet to register a home win in League 1.

Westley will be without Michael Doughty and Luke Freeman due to suspension after both players picked up a fifth yellow card of the season on Tuesday.

Yet, says winger Filipe Morais, the club have plenty of options in the middle of the pitch.

“One thing we’ve got here is no lack of midfielders. We’ve got a lot of players who weren’t even involved [against MK Dons] who will be absolutely dying to play and they’ll be so hungry to come in and prove themselves and not let the team down when we’ve got to win,” Morais said.

“We want to get back to back wins at home. So knowing the players that weren’t involved [against MK Dons], your James Dunnes, your Greg Tanseys, they’ll be dying to play and to show how good a player they are. No doubt if any of them come in we won’t be any weaker.”

Morais also praised teammate Simon Heslop after the central midfielder put in his best performance so far in a Stevenage shirt in the win over Karl Robinson’s men.

“I thought he was brilliant. I really hope he takes confidence, because that’s what he’s got,” Morais said.

“When he is on the front foot and his athleticism, he just gets past people and when he plays like that he’s a Championship player for me at least. I hope he takes confidence from that and he kicks on because there’s a great player in there.”

David Gray may make the matchday squad as he returns from a knee injury, but Darius Charles and Ben Chorley are both out. Francois Zoko, who scored on his debut midweek, is likely to start up front.

The last time these two sides met (March 5, 2013), Stevenage striker Marcus Haber scored the only goal of the match as Boro won 1-0 at the Lamex.