DINO Maamria has confirmed that winger Jonny Smith is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury suffered in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Plymouth Argyle.
And the Brewers Assistant Manager also confirmed that Adlene Guedioura has left the club after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
But Ciaran Gilligan has come through training and could feature for the Brewers for the first time after signing a new contract to take him to 2024 in tomorrow night’s game at home to Wigan Athletic (7.45pm kick-off).
Smith, who has five goals to his name this season, will miss up to four weeks of action as a result of his injury, which came to an unfortunate landing in a challenge, which will take him past the final game of the season on April 30.
“Jonny is out - he has done his shoulder and will likely be out for the next three weeks,” said Maamria.
"We're gutted for Jonny, because in that position (against Plymouth) he looked a handful, a threat, in that first half. It was unfortunate that when he fell down, he fell on his shoulder.
“He won’t be back this season, I think it’s done for him. Even if he is half-fit, we can't risk it. It’s unfortunate for us all but I’m sure he’ll be back for pre-season, ready and raring to go.
“There’s no other injury concerns - Mance (Michael Mancienne) has trained and Gilly has been training, so everybody is good.”
Maamria says Guedioura spoke to he and manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink about his future upon returning from international duty with Algeria, following his country's qualifying defeat to Cameroon and ending any hopes of making the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“In terms of Adlene, Algeria are out of the World Cup and it hit him very hard," said Maamria.
“His family are in Qatar and we both agreed that we would move on from the short-term agreement we had together, for him to go back to his family in Qatar and do what he needs to do.
“He was good for us for the short period he was here, he had quality on the pitch and off it as well, but we have mutually agreed that the best way to move forward is for us to let him go. It was the right decision for both of us."
Maamria and the Brewers are now fully focused on producing another solid performance like at the weekend against the table-topping Latics, who are full of confidence after four wins in their last five games.
"We are looking forward to it," said Maamria. "We like what the Pirelli looks like under the lights, and it's going to be a big, big game against (the side) top of the league.
"I'm sure our fans will be with us from minute one.
"We know what Wigan are about. They're a very good team and they're top of the league for a reason. They've got some massive players and it's a challenge for us.
"But coming off the back of Saturday, hopefully it gives us that boost of confidence and self-belief to go against Wigan and put in a really good performance.
"It's an exciting one for everybody."