CAPTAIN Jake Buxton has been rated 50/50 to be fit for tomorrow’s home clash against Sunderland in the Sky Bet Championship after missing Tuesday’s game against Brentford.
The 32-year-old has played 18 times for the Brewers so far this season, but was forced to sit out on Tuesday due to a thigh injury.
“We’re not sure yet, he’s about 50/50,” said Clough. “He might do a little bit of training on Friday morning before the game and it will probably go up until Saturday lunch time to see how he is.”
He said: “The back four performed quite well so there’s people who have come in and done well who will be trying to hang onto their shirts. There’s a few decisions to make tomorrow.”
On-loan striker Joe Mason has returned to training this week after missing several games with a back injury. The forward looks set to be in contention for the squad tomorrow, although Lloyd Dyer and John Brayford will both miss out.
“Joe Mason has done some training this week,” said Clough. “Lloyd (Dyer) and John (Brayford) are a little bit behind and will probably be another week or so but Joe Mason has had a couple of days training and will be back in contention for the squad.”
The Brewers boss was impressed with Joe Sbarra and Will Miller when they made sub appearances on Tuesday night against Brentford, and says they will both be in contention tomorrow when they Brewers face Sunderland.
“It’s finding the right time to put them in. To put them into a team that’s struggling under pressure at home can work one of two ways - They can help or they can be dragged down and set them back so we have to be careful about when we put them in and how, but they’re certainly in contention like everybody is. We’re getting towards a fully-fit squad which is good.”