Town boss Paul Jewell has revealed that central defender Ibrahima Sonko dislocated a rib during Saturday’s abandoned game against Middlesbrough and faces up to a month on the sidelines. The Blues are also set to be without midfielder Lee Bowyer when they take on Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Tuesday night as the veteran is short on match fitness.
Jewell confirmed stand-in skipper Sonko would miss the game at Pompey: "He’s dislocated his rib so it’s probably looking like two to four weeks, I would think. It’s obviously very sore and very tender.
"It’s a blow for us, just as we get momentum going with our centre-halves, they seem to get injured.”
Damien Delaney will come into the side against Portsmouth, who are reportedly could go into administration before Tuesday's game takes place, probably starting on the left with Tommy Smith moving to the right as he did when the Irishman came off the bench on Saturday.
Jewell says Bowyer, who has been out with a groin problem, probably needs a reserve or training game before he can be considered for first team action: "He hasn’t played since the Forest game which was four or five weeks ago.
"We’d like to get him some game time before now and the end of the week, 11-v-11. He’s had a few little twinges but I think he’s fine now.”