NIGEL Clough is waiting on both illness and injury reports before deciding on his starting line-up for tomorrow’s League One game against Scunthorpe (kick off 3pm).
Several players picked up knocks against Burnley on Tuesday and a bout of illness has also hit the camp this week.
Clough said: “We will have to wait on one or two and see how they do at training today or even into Saturday morning. We have a little bit of illness in the camp as well, so we have three or four doubtful for tomorrow.”
Scott Fraser, David Templeton and Stephen Quinn all picked up knocks on Tuesday.
Clough said: “We are hoping they will be OK but we will have to wait and see. With us playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday for the next month it’s very concentrated in terms of fixtures and we will need the full squad.”
The bug hitting the squad has added to the problems.
Clough said: “There are a few missing training because of it, as the last thing we want is them coming in and infecting everybody, so we will speak to them overnight and see how they are feeling. It’s not as if we are at the stage where we have to throw them out there. We have good people to come in, so we will use them if we need to.”
A friendly at St George’s Park against Shrewsbury on Wednesday saw Jake Buxton continue his comeback from injury.
Clough said: “Jake got through 45 minutes and that’s important as that’s the first time he has been out there on the pitch since his back injury, so we need to see how he is with a view to coming back into the squad. He split the game with Ben Fox and another 45 minutes for Ben keeps him topped up.
“Will Miller got another 90 minutes under his belt, as did a few of the squad players. With the Checkatrade Trophy and Birmingham Senior Cup coming up as well everyone will get four games in five weeks minimum which is important for their fitness.”
Another plus for Clough is that Kyle McFadzean will be available after being suspended for the Burnley game and Devante Cole who was cup tied will also be back.
“It maybe a couple out and a couple in from that point of view,” said Clough.