Paul Fairclough welcomes back Neal Bishop, the 25-year-old midfielder he signed from York City in the close season, for the televised Coca-Cola League 2 game away to former manager John Still's Dagenham and Redbridge.

Bishop was sent off in the Carling Cup first round defeat at Norwich City in the first week of the season and has completed a three match suspension. "He's a big player for us", said the manager.

With Michael Leary the only casualty, Fairclough has options for the visit to Victoria Road, but it will be a surprise if there are changes beyond the recall of Bishop following the morale-boosting 2-1 win against Bradford City last weekend.

Fairclough was complimentary about 19-year-old midfielder Max Porter, signed from Bishop's Stortford for an undisclosed fee, in an interview on TalkSPORT.

He said: "Andy Hessenthaler left his experienced head at Underhill and on Max Porter's shoulders. He has got great maturity for someone of his young age".

Jason Puncheon, who has scored four goals in four successive games of Barnet's five this season - Adam Birchall and an own goal are the others, - can be seen on a Sky Sports News feature on the Bees on Friday as a build-up to the Dagenham game. Paul Fairclough and physiotherapist Mark Stein were also interviewed at the Hollywood Bowl at North Finchley as the players had a relaxing bonding session on Wednesday.

For those travelling to Dagenham & Redbridge, you can find the Reckless Guide by clicking HERE

Dennis Signy