NIGEL Clough will be waiting on injury news for several key players ahead of Saturday’s home game against Coventry City (kick off 3pm).
Liam Boyce (hamstring), Colin Daniel (hamstring), Jake Buxton (ribs), Nathan Broadhead (hip) and Richard Nartey (hamstring) were all in the treatment room ahead of the international break.
The Brewers manager said that Buxton remains in pain from a cracked rib and that they are looking into padded protection if the skipper needs to play. But Nartey was expected to return to training this week and might provide another option.
Clough said: “Jake with his ribs, it will be about pain management and what he can and can’t. It’s hard for him to get comfortable, to sleep to sit, anything you do can cause you discomfort. He has benefitted from the few days off more than anybody.
"These days you can get a rib protector so he will try that and see how he feels but we know if Richard Nartey is fit that he has done so well when he has come in and we have Kieran Wallace if we need to move him so we won’t be rushing anyone back.
"Liam Boyce was on the bench for Northern Ireland which we were a little bit surprised at. After coming off against Bristol Rovers we thought it would be two to three weeks but nine days later he’s on the bench which is a good sign.
“Colin Daniel remains a doubt and Nathan Broadhead hasn’t been able to do much with his hip injury.”