George Edmundson and Cieran Slicker are both ruled out of Saturday’s home game against Middlesbrough with minor ankle injuries, while manager Kieran McKenna says a couple of other players will be assessed on the day of the game.

Edmundson was subbed in the second half of Wednesday’s 0-0 home draw with Watford with an ankle injury which will keep him out of Boro’s visit.

“George won’t be involved,” McKenna said. “Thankfully, it doesn’t seem too serious but he’s got some swelling in the ankle, so he won’t be involved.

“We’ve got a couple of other little issues that will be assessed on the day of the game.”

Edmundson has made nine Championship starts this season and McKenna says he has played a vital role.

“He’s been a really important member of the squad and he’s stepped up at different times and you need that to be successful, you need a squad,” he said.

“In the centre-back position, I think all the teams would want to have four strong centre-backs ideally and we feel like we’ve had that through the course of the season. He’s been an important player for us, coming back from a big [ankle] operation in the summer.

“It’s been a good season. Of course, he would have liked to have played more, which is natural for every player, everyone wants to play, but really importantly, he’s trained well, he’s shown a real maturity in how he’s gone about his business and he’s stepped in at important times for the team.”

Regarding third-choice keeper Slicker, he added: “He’s not bad, thankfully. He rolled his ankle so I don’t think he’s available for us tomorrow if needed, but thankfully it doesn’t look like anything too long term.”

New Zealand U20 international keeper Henry Gray, 18, was recalled from his loan spell at National League South Chelmsford City earlier in the week as cover.

“We always have three goalkeepers involved on a matchday anyway, we travel with three,” McKenna continued. “There are always three who do the warm-up, you always need the third one to be ready.

“Cieran’s done a fantastic job in that role this year, I have to say, especially on the training pitch, but also on matchdays.

“Henry’s having a good season out on loan, he trains with us a lot anyway and he’s a goalkeeper that we like and he’s back and been involved with us a little bit more this week and he’ll be with us on Saturday.”

Photo: Matchday Images

DannyITFC added 15:03 - Apr 12 No mention if burns? I assume we won’t see him until the Hull game now? We really have missed him down the right hand side, I feel he makes a huge impact when playing for us. 3 points tomorrow is a must especially if Leeds win tomorrow.
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BrandonsBlues added 15:55 - Apr 12 Could be a sub
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oldbri added 17:49 - Apr 12 Wes has been a huge, huge loss.
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SoCalTownFan added 18:01 - Apr 12 Boo-urns? Hirst? Hirst was meant to be back before the end of the season, and that's nowish. Wonder if Kieran McKenna would not let on and then he suddenly appears, to outfox the opposition research?
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joyousblue added 18:07 - Apr 12 He did say possibly for the last two games for burns and hirst , i think if we get three points tomorrow and then the two week break ( why is that ) they will come back all guns blazing to take the title what a time to be alive oh and coventry pip scum for 6th place, despite losing to us coyb
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blues1 added 18:28 - Apr 12 SoCalTownFan. He's always said we may see hirst before the end of the season. Never been definite. Then has said a week or so ago, that he may be available after the 2 week break. Same with burns
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MK1 added 19:26 - Apr 12 Eddy was brilliant on Wednesday, so another thing to deal with. Luckily, we have excellent options in CD.
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Radlett_blue added 13:25 - Apr 13 Why risk Burns, even as only a sub, when we are about to have a 2 week break?
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