NIGEL Clough will be without David Templeton for Saturday’s opening game against Ipswich at the Pirelli Stadium and will assess Richard Nartey’s fitness later this week.
David Templeton’s hip flexor injury means he will miss the opening games of the season.
The Brewers manager said: “He did it in training just passing a ball out wide and he felt something go. He will be two or three weeks but, Ben Fox apart, he’s the only other one definitely ruled out on Saturday.”
Nartey is down to train on Friday and Clough will see how his tight hamstring has progressed.
The manager said: “As long as he has no reaction he will be involved. At this stage it’s just about being careful with him. He has done a tough pre-season and then played a few games and his hamstring was tightening up. It wasn’t ruptured, so it’s precautionary with him and when he feels comfortable, he will be back in."
Clough says Ipswich as one of the promotion favourites will need to make a good start.
"The aim when you are one of those clubs is to get up there early and stay up there. It will be difficult if you are halfway up the table and trying to gain ground on the top six - it’s easier to get up there and stay up there.
"It’s a tough start for us but we are in much better shape than we were 12 months ago."