JOHN Brayford and Michael Bostwick will be out of action for at least a month after having scans on the injuries they picked up at Plymouth on Saturday.
Bostwick had only just come back from injury and now faces another lay off as the Brewers defence continues to be hard hit by injuries.
Manager Jake Buxton said: “They had scans on Monday morning, and both have grade two tears, John in his quad and Michael in his calf. Both will be out for four weeks plus.
“We have good personnel to come in but we clearly have had problems at the back with injuries and suspensions. But we do the work, the training and look to get that solidness in there whether it’s a back three or a back four.”
Buxton ruled out a training game this week to help the players who are needing to get back to match fitness due to the concerns over the injury list.
He said: “With the lack of numbers we couldn’t risk putting a game together. We have wrapped cotton wool around John-Joe O’Toole to make sure he is available for selection on Saturday.”
On the plus side Reece Hutchinson has been cleared to come back to training after a long lay-off with a foot injury.
Buxton said: “He’s with us again making full contact which is a massive plus for the group and for Reece, as he has struggled since lockdown.
“Charles Vernam is coming along quite nicely as well but will be another couple of weeks.”
Lucas Akins and Ryan Edwards have also missed training after picking up knocks and Stephen Quinn is being managed through training.
Buxton said: “Stephen needs a bit more to get back up to speed after missing four or five weeks of pre-season. We are trying to drip feed training and minutes into him.
“Ryan and Lucas will be assessed on Friday to see where they are.”
Jack Roles is also back with the group after international duty with Cyprus but after eight flights in ten days maybe jet lagged which will come into Buxton’s thinking in terms of team selection.