DON'T expect a Boxing Day score-fest when City play at Highbury Stadium this afternoon.

Only home fans at Doncaster and Walsall have seen fewer goals in League One.

Fleetwood boast the second-best defensive record in front of their own supporters, conceding only eight from their ten home matches. But they have only scored 12 themselves.

They have lost only once at Highbury – when Walsall beat them 1-0 last month. But Fleetwood boss Graham Alexander's attacking resources have been hit hard.

Jamille Matt, who scored in City's only previous visit two seasons ago, is sidelined long term with a cruciate injury. David Ball is also out with a broken leg.

Martin Paterson's loan spell from Huddersfield was cut short as well after hamstring problems.

Alexander recalled Matty Hughes from a spell with Chester to partner Jamie Proctor as the latest frontline duo. The pair are yet to get off the mark in two games but Proctor sees something in the little-and-large combination.

He said: "We've been very unlucky with how things have gone this season. But it's down to someone to get in there and put their name forward every week.

"I want to do that. I want it to be me and I really want to take this chance.

"The lads put in a lot of crosses for me to attack and both Matty Hughes and I are loving that."

Fleetwood, who are three points behind City, were pegged back by a late equaliser at Coventry last week. But Proctor said: "For a club like ours to come to Coventry and be disappointed at not getting all three points speaks volumes."

Only four of the Cod army's starting line-up are over 24 and one of them, experienced centre half Mark Roberts, believes the whole side are responsible for sorting out the scoring shortage.

"There have been times when we've not had so many options but we've got quality to come in," said the 31-year-old skipper.

"We attack and defend as a team and we're all involved, not just the strikers.

"We need to improve as much as we can and hopefully the goals will start flowing."