Town have been hit by a double injury blow ahead of Saturday's home game with Sheffield Wednesday. Keeper Lewis Price will not be ready to return to action after his knee injury and Sam Parkin has suffered a bad facial cut in training.

The 24-year-old striker has not been completely ruled out as yet but looks very, very unlikely to be involved after having 20 stitches in hospital earlier today. Boss Joe Royle told the club site: "Sam went down low for a header and has taken a kick.

"He has a cut from his forehead down to his nose and at the moment, he's got to be extremely doubtful.

"We've all played with cuts before but now with the new 'blood rule', it's not possible to be on the pitch with a cut.

"We are not ruling him out just yet though, and will have a look at him in the morning."

Physio Dave Williams doesn't expect the former Swindon man to play any role against the Owls: "The new rule means that if the cut opens up he would have to go off, and in the position it's in, that is what will happen when he heads the ball."

Town had been hopeful that Price would return after injuring his left leg in the 0-0 draw at Leicester, however Williams says he is not yet ready: "Lewis tried to do some light work yesterday but wasn't ready for it. He's out for Saturday but should be OK for next weekend."

Price's absence will mean Shane Supple will continue between the sticks, while Parkin is likely to be replaced by either Jaime Peters or Dean McDonald. Town will not name a substitute keeper and could add Darryl Knights to the squad as a back-up striker.

The Blues are already without Nicky Forster who had his cartilage surgery yesterday. Physio Williams says the operation went to plan: "He had surgery last night and it went very well.

"He's had work carried out on his medial cartilage, not too much though. The surgeon is very happy with the rest of the knee and it looks as though Nicky will be back in around the six-week period."

Skipper Jim Magilton is over the minor foot injury he sustained in last week's game at Leicester.

Likely revised squad: Supple, Sito, Richards, Naylor, Wilnis, Collins, Magilton, Westlake, Currie, Horlock, Garvan, Juan, Peters, Bowditch, McDonald, Knights.

Photo: Action Images

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