Joe, who has had a bruised foot which has bothered him throughout the season, had originally hoped to be involved at Blackburn.
It became clear, though, that Southampton was a more realistic target, but the intention had been for him to play at least half a game against Spurs prior to that.
With that not now happening, and the result of the scan notwithstanding, it makes the likelihood of him facing the Saints more remote.
But there is some good news: Steve Lomas is due to start and hopes to play at least half a game.
There is no place for Gary Charles, but of the senior players who were involved on Sunday, Hayden Foxe and Grant McCann are both playing, while Steve Bywater, Glen Johnson, Scott Minto, Steve Potts, Adam Newton, Paul Kitson, Jermain Defoe, and Laurent Courtois all get a run out.