The virus that struck Mark Venus earlier in the week has also now hit Matt Holland. Venus again missed out on training yesterday and Holland has joined him as a virus victim.

Similarly, loaned player Richard Logan missed Cambridge's 4-2 loss at Port Vale with the same problem.

This is obviously a worry for George Burley: "Mark and Matt both felt unwell and Mark was unable to train. They are the only two suffering with a virus at the moment and we hope they will be OK for the weekend."

On the injury front Hermann Hreidarsson had a hamstring problem in training yesterday and may be a bit of a worry for the weekend. He missed the game at Arsenal with an injury of this type after pulling up late in the Leeds match. Richard Naylor was confirmed as an absentee yesterday due to his knee problem and Marcus Stewart misses out his first game through suspension.

Gary Croft is out for a month with a medial ligament problem received when he collided with Titus Bramble in the game at Highbury. John Scales continues to recover from his hamstring problem.

On the plus side Fabian Wilnis will return after his hamstring injury and looks likely to regain his place on the right-side of defence.

Town's reserves take on Charlton tonight at the Valley. The Blues are set to name a fairly inexperienced side against quite a strong Charlton line-up.

The home side are likely to include the likes of Mark Kinsella and ex-Town trialist Jonatan Johansson in their side as both try to get back up to speed after injuries.

Town include Nabil Abidallah and Amir Karic who both had good games for the reserves last week against Southampton, Abidallah scoring a good goal. Of Karic George Burley said yesterday: "Like all foriegners he needs time to adjust to the English game. He knows he must work on his defensive game and Amir is working very hard in training."

Town also name promising youngsters Darren Bent, Steve Burton, Lee Beevers and Matt Bloomfield all of whom have done well when stepping up a level recently.

Town squad: Branagan, Salmon, Artun, Karic, Miller, Moffat, Brown, Abidallah, Nicholls, Bent, Midgley, Westlake, Bloomfield, Burton, Snowdon and Beevers.

Photo: Action Images

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