Manager Nathan Jones has revealed that Cauley Woodrow is set for a spell on the sideline ahead of Saturday’s clash against Queens Park Rangers.
The forward could be out of action until the break for the World Cup after suffering a calf injury in training which has forced him to miss the last three league matches.
“He will be out for a number of weeks which will take him really close to the international break, so it’s about monitoring that,” the gaffer told the press during his pre-match press conference.
“He did his calf in training, out of absolutely nothing really, which is very, very strange, but that’s what’s been happening to us.
“It’s always a shame when people pick up injuries, especially when he worked so hard, been patient and then got his opportunity.
“We were looking to play him again, so it is very, very unfortunate for Cauley and for us really, because he was growing into a big player for us.”
Reece Burke will also miss the game against Queens Park Rangers after going off injured against his former club Hull City, but there is more positive news regarding fellow defender Gabe Osho.
“Gabe is a lot closer, he’s out on the grass so he’s a lot closer than Reece. Reece is unfortunate because of the form he has been in, but Gabe’s injury is not at the level Reece’s was.”
On facing Michael Beale’s side – who come into the game level on points with top of the table Sheffield United – Jones is desperate for his side to put a poor record against QPR behind them.
“We’re up for changing records. We haven’t got a good record against Queens Park Rangers and that needs to change. It’s the perfect chance to do that, we’re both in decent form, both unbeaten in five, they are in wonderful form, they have very good players so it will be a tough game we know that. It’s another Championship game against tough opposition, it’s the same every week.
“They’re an excellent attacking side, they always have been. We know that they pose a real threat. We have come unstuck against them, some of that has been our own undoing but we know it is going to be a real tough game. We know they’ve got threats, we’ve got threats, they will be aware of our threats and we will be aware of their threats.”