THE Brewers looks set to be without a host of senior players when they travel to face Rochdale tomorrow.
Liam Boyce, Kyle McFadzean and Marvin Sordell have all been absent in recent weeks, while Scott Fraser, Stephen Quinn and John Brayford could all miss the game at the Crown Oil Arena tomorrow.
Manager Nigel Clough admits the Brewers will miss the key players that could be missing, but believes it will give other players a chance to step-up.
He said: “There are quite a few that are doubtful. Scott Fraser, Jamie Allen, John Brayford and Stephen Quinn are all doubtful. Liam Boyce, still, Kyle McFadzean and Marvin Sordell, none of them are guaranteed to be fit for this weekend or in the next week.
“That is seven off the top of my head, there is probably a couple of others that are carrying things.
“I think that last week, when we played Plymouth, seven of the 11 were 23 or under. That is almost like a Checkatrade Trophy game for some teams. They are getting wonderful experience and that is the only way they are going to improve, by getting out there.
“We said at the start of the season that the youngsters would form an important part of the squad, but we didn’t think they would be playing as many games as they have done.”