JORDI Osei-Tutu is unlikely to feature for Wanderers at Wycombe, where Ian Evatt goes to the league leaders without three key men in his defence.
Already without Ricardo Santos and George Johnston through suspension, both having picked up a fifth yellow card in the 2-0 defeat against Wigan last weekend, Osei-Tutu has added to the list of absentees having picked up a minor issue with his knee.
Wanderers have a chance to climb into the top six on Friday night and will do so if they repeat last season’s victory at Adams Park.
But they will almost certainly have to do so without wing-back Osei-Tutu, who had made his first league start of the season against the Latics.
“Jordi has a swollen knee so he will be missing,” he explained. “We have had it scanned and it is clear but while it still has fluid in it his range of movement is down, so it is something that is probably short-term, days, rather than weeks, but he won’t be available at Wycombe.”
Gethin Jones could partner Will Forrester and Josh Dacres-Cogley as the only three central defensive options left in the side.
Randell Williams could then be drafted in on the right side of the defence to cover for Osei-Tutu’s absence and Evatt remains hopeful that those coming into the reckoning will make the most of their chance against the League One leaders.
“We have got what we have got,” he said. “At centre-back we are extremely light, there no getting round that – George, Rico, Chris Forino, Eoin Toal, all missing. It isn’t ideal at all, especially when you add another defender in Jordi.
“We are extremely light but that situation presents opportunities for others and they have to come in and take it.”
Wycombe have lost only two of 19 games this season and are currently a point ahead of odds-on favourites Birmingham City at the top of the table.
The Chairboys will be unable to play midfielder Aaron Morley, who has been on loan from Bolton since the summer.
Evatt admits his side is up against it – but having broken the duck at Wycombe last season is eager to get back to winning ways before Christmas.
“We are under no illusion that it will be really difficult, especially given the availability and where we are light,” he said. “That makes it even more challenging and difficult. I think people probably see us as the underdogs tomorrow and I don’t mind that, I think we can be a dangerous team in those circumstances.
“We will go there, formulate a plan and try to execute a good performance. We had a good feeling there last season and hopefully we can have the same again this time.”
