Town could be without Gareth McAuley, Darren O’Dea, Connor Wickham and Jimmy Bullard when they take on already-relegated Preston in the season’s final home game on Saturday. Defenders McAuley and O’Dea have definitely been ruled out, while striker Wickham and midfielder Bullard are both doubts with rib and knee injuries respectively, having missed the defeat at Swansea on Monday.
Manager Paul Jewell said: "Connor and Jimmy are doubts for the weekend. Gareth McAuley’s out and Darren O’Dea’s out, so we’re pretty much stretched at the moment.
"Troy Brown came off the bench on Monday, so Troy will be in contention. Jimmy or Connor might be fit, they’re doubts but if there’s any doubt they won’t play, although they’re both desperate to play.
"I don’t like ruling people out on a Thursday but certainly Darren O’Dea has a nasty ankle injury and he’s out for the season. He won’t play and Gareth McAuley won’t be fit either because he’s got a tear in his groin.”
The Town boss says he considered recalling Tommy Smith from his loan spell at Colchester but has decided that the New Zealand international can remain with the League One side at least for this weekend.
In addition to the injuries, Lee Martin will serve the final game of his three-match ban.