Boss Joe Royle says he is considering looking for a loan player to cover for Ian Westlake while the midfielder is out injured with ankle ligament damage. Westlake turned the ankle in training on Tuesday and faces around six weeks on the sidelines.

The 21-year-old has had an x-ray which revealed no broken bones but the full extent of the injury will not be known until the swelling is reduced.

Royle says he won't be making any additions to his squad before the trip to Bramall Lane: “We are looking at being without Ian for between four and six weeks. For Saturday's match at Sheffield United I plan to go with what we have.

“After the weekend I will look at whether we need to bring in a loan signing. We are well served number-wise in midfield as in any other position, but Ian has a unique part to play.

“He provides energy and legs and is the engine room from which we function and he is always liable to weigh in with a goal.”

One option Royle has is to switch Matt Richards to left midfield with recent loan signing Jay McEveley, who has been given the Town number five shirt, coming in for his debut at left-back.

Richards played in midfield during his academy days and Royle had pencilled him in for a regular left midfield role last year, prior to Chris Makin's departure.

Better news on the injury front is that Jason De Vos is expected to be OK to face Neil Warnock's side after cracking ribs in the opening day win at home to Cardiff.

Striker Nicky Forster is expected to be out of action until early October afer undergoing surgery for a cartilage problem.

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