Academy youngster Scott Barron could come into Joe Royle's plans for Saturday's home game with Crewe as Matt Richards is a doubt due to a hamstring injury. Barron has impressed in the reserves this season after switching from left midfield to left-back.

With Chris Makin still out for at least a month, Richards's potential absence would leave Town without an experienced left-back and could mean 18-year-old Barron comes in for his debut.

Last week Joe Royle denied a report which claimed he was after Charlton's Chris Powell on loan and said his targets did not include a left-back. However, Richards's injury could make him rethink.

Barron will be in action for the reserves this evening against Wimbledon at Milton Keynes (KO 7pm) as will Andy Marshall, Drissa Diallo, Georges Santos and Dean Bowditch.

Diallo could return to the senior squad on Saturday, for the first time since picking up his knee problem in September. Royle has already confirmed that Marshall will be on the bench having returned from his loan spell at Wolves.

In addition to the doubt regarding Richards, Darren Bent is still a concern due to the sore ankle which saw him miss the trip to Reading.

Jim Magilton and Kelvin Davis have both missed training sessions this week but are expected to be back in action on Thursday. Martijn Reuser has also been on the sidelines but should be fit for the visit of the Railwaymen.

Reserves squad: Marshall, Okay, Boardley, Collins, Diallo, Santos, Abidallah, Mitchell, Morrow, Bowditch, Barron, Manning, Flack, Peat, Craig, Smith and Krause.

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