NIGEL Clough is hoping that David Templeton will recover from a shoulder injury in time for Saturday’s home game against Bristol Rovers (kick off 3pm).
The Brewers manager believes his team have missed the winger’s creative spark.
He said: “David’s shoulder is still sore so that will go until Friday or even Saturday before we make a decision as we would love to have him involved, especially as it’s a home game.”
There are also doubts over midfielder Stephen Quinn and defender John Brayford.
Clough said: “With Stephen we are hopeful but it’s just the ongoing maintenance with his knee and making sure we are looking after him. It’s a similar situation with John and it’s difficult when you have so many games in October and there’s one every three days. Stephen and John aren’t going to play in them all.”
Jake Buxton’s return to action has also been set back with illness adding to his injured back.
Clough said: “Jake was working his way back into things but when you have a back problem it is very much day to day. Sometimes he wakes up and feels fine and he trains then another day it stiffens up again. He trained well on Monday and was going to be involved at Port Vale but illness robbed him of that chance. Hopefully he will be OK for the bench on Saturday.”
Goalkeeper Brad Collins has also had a back problem that thwarted his comeback from a thigh strain picked up against Accrington on September 8. That may result in Dimitar Evtimov’s one-month deal being extended.
Clough said: “We hope Brad’s back will keep improving and he might be involved on Saturday as well. Stephen Bywater’s doing light goalkeeping work but only light as he has to careful diving on his shoulder.
“We can extend Dimitar’s month if we need to as he has been very solid for us when you think he has come in without having played much football he’s not cost us a goal at all. He understands the situation that if they are all fit we can’t have four keepers challenging for the first team spot.”