Manager Rob Edwards says the Town will be without Daiki Hashioka and Liam Walsh as his side prepare to face Derby at Kenilworth Road on Friday night.

“We’ve had some set-backs and that seems to be continuing,” the boss said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“Hashi’s is not significant but he came off last weekend with a very slight strain and, even though he’s back on the grass, tomorrow is too soon.”

Walsh serves the first game of a four-match ban following his red card at Ewood Park last Saturday.

But the Town’s squad will be boosted by the arrival of defender Erik Pieters who has signed a short-term deal.

“He’ll bolster the squad in the short term and come in and help us,” added Edwards.

Friday’s televised clash will be the Town’s first of five games in a busy 17-day festive period.

“We’ll need the full squad,” said the boss. “We’ve all lived this time of year before.

“But we’re back at the Kenny and we all know it’s been challenging away from home results-wise. We’ve had half a good game, 60 minutes, 30 minutes, away from home but that needs to be 90, 97.

“At home we’ve been consistent and in the main the performances have been good. That’s why we’ll try and get tomorrow.”

Derby, who won promotion from League One last term, sit in 14th place in the table and come into the game off the back of a 4-0 win over Portsmouth a week ago.

“They’ll be quick, physical and fast – they have lots of speed,” added Rob. “Paul [Warne]’s done a good job and it’ll be a difficult game. They’ll be aggressive and look to try and win the game and it’ll make for a decent watch.

“But we’ve had a good week to plan and prepare and it’s a big game, but they’ll all big, especially with two away games coming up, but we’ve got to focus on one game at a time and first that’s Derby.”