Glenn Roeder has been dealt another cruel injury blow - with the
news that centre half Hayden Foxe will miss the start of the
season.
Hayden broke his finger at West Ham's training camp in Leicestershire on Sunday and Glenn says:
"If he needs an operation he will be out for four weeks, and if he doesn't it will be nearer two.
"Either way, it is a problem in an area of the field where we are already short."
With Stuart Pearce and Igor Stimac having left in the summer, and Ian Pearce currently out of action, the injury to Hayden only serves to emphasise Glenn's need to strengthen at centre half - something that, despite reports, he has been as yet unable to do.
It is not the only fresh injury problem ahead of the game with Rushden and Diamonds, and Glenn adds:
"Michael Carrick will not be involved as he has a slight injury, but he will be back for the Utrecht game on Saturday.
"Trevor Sinclair and Christian Dailly will both be back for that game as well, but neither has recovered from their recent hamstring problems for tonight.
"We are hoping Joe Cole will be back, but Shaka Hislop is not yet ready to play because of his knee problem, though he is training."
Steve Lomas and Titi Camara are both still in rehab with medium term knee injuries, and alongside them on the treatment table is Fredi Kanoute.
Glenn is forced into being philosophical about Fredi's injury, which may yet clear up before the first game of the season, and can at least console himself with the fact that he is happy at the club.
"Him being out is a big blow because he has been doing ever so well and looking a real threat.
"But we have to live with these things; it is not something myself or anyone else has control over.
"Injuries are out of your hands, but if this is the only injury he gets all year then we'll put up with it."
At least stories of him wanting to move on have stopped and Glenn adds:
"Rumours tend to follow all good players around and it doesn't matter what club they are at.
"He is a major player for us, a real handful for any defence in the Premiership.
"He seems happy in himself other than being disappointed about the injury.
"I have no worries about the way he has trained and acted - he's been really good."
Hayden broke his finger at West Ham's training camp in Leicestershire on Sunday and Glenn says:
"If he needs an operation he will be out for four weeks, and if he doesn't it will be nearer two.
"Either way, it is a problem in an area of the field where we are already short."
With Stuart Pearce and Igor Stimac having left in the summer, and Ian Pearce currently out of action, the injury to Hayden only serves to emphasise Glenn's need to strengthen at centre half - something that, despite reports, he has been as yet unable to do.
It is not the only fresh injury problem ahead of the game with Rushden and Diamonds, and Glenn adds:
"Michael Carrick will not be involved as he has a slight injury, but he will be back for the Utrecht game on Saturday.
"Trevor Sinclair and Christian Dailly will both be back for that game as well, but neither has recovered from their recent hamstring problems for tonight.
"We are hoping Joe Cole will be back, but Shaka Hislop is not yet ready to play because of his knee problem, though he is training."
Steve Lomas and Titi Camara are both still in rehab with medium term knee injuries, and alongside them on the treatment table is Fredi Kanoute.
Glenn is forced into being philosophical about Fredi's injury, which may yet clear up before the first game of the season, and can at least console himself with the fact that he is happy at the club.
"Him being out is a big blow because he has been doing ever so well and looking a real threat.
"But we have to live with these things; it is not something myself or anyone else has control over.
"Injuries are out of your hands, but if this is the only injury he gets all year then we'll put up with it."
At least stories of him wanting to move on have stopped and Glenn adds:
"Rumours tend to follow all good players around and it doesn't matter what club they are at.
"He is a major player for us, a real handful for any defence in the Premiership.
"He seems happy in himself other than being disappointed about the injury.
"I have no worries about the way he has trained and acted - he's been really good."