NIGEL Clough will assess the fitness of Brad Collins ahead of this weekend’s trip to Plymouth, while Marvin Sordell, Scott Fraser and David Templeton are doubts.
Collins, who is on-loan from Chelsea, played the full game against Nuneaton in the Birmingham Senior Cup this week, a game that Sordell was also due to start before picking up an injury in the warm-up.
The goalkeeper had missed been unable to make the squad against Bristol Rovers due to a back injury, and Clough says that is something that will be assessed after the long journey to Plymouth this weekend, while a trio of key players are doubts.
He said: “Marvin Sordell has got a niggle now, as have Scott Fraser and David Templeton. They are the three major doubts. Ben Fox missed the Nuneaton game through illness, he would have played for an hour, hopefully he will recover by the weekend.
“The goalkeepers (Collins and Bywater) are getting fit. Other than the three niggles, we have almost got a full squad.
“Stephen (Bywater) has just started training again lightly. Brad’s back has been sore, he will now have to be sat on the bus for I would think 16 hours in the next week (travelling to Plymouth and Portsmouth), so you don’t know how that is going to react.
Clough also offered an update on Liam Boyce following his time away on international duty.
“Liam Boyce felt his knee at the end of last week, in the early point of meeting up (with Northern Ireland). He had a good 80 minutes (on Monday night), played well and hopefully he will come back in good nick.”