Swindon Town are set to be without Billy Kirkman for almost a month after he suffered a thigh injury in training last week.
On Thursday last week, Swindon were struck by two more injuries in training, with Kirkman and Matty Virtue going down and dropping out for the games against Oldham Athletic and Port Vale.
The injury to Kirkman was especially tricky, as, with Sam Inwood also injured, it left Town without a recognised left back.
Kaelan Majekodunmi has deputised in that position in his absence, and Mitch Clark has also played on the left, but it left them short.
That issue has since been solved by the arrival of Dan Butler from Stevenage on a season-long loan to help fill the gap and provide more depth.
The 32-year-old will be needed quickly, as Kirkman looks set to be out for almost a month with the thigh injury that he sustained.
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Ian Holloway said: “I was told that he’s going to be at least three weeks from the day he did it.
“I have had to play Kaelan twice, and I thought he was outstanding tonight. There was one block there that was excellent, but he isn’t naturally that.
“I need competition, and Billy has been exceptional, and we have missed him, so I have had to do something.”
Kirkman and Joseph Hungbo were both on the pitch ahead of the match against Port Vale, putting some work in as part of their recoveries.
It is still not clear when the Wigan Athletic loanee will be back, as he continues to deal with thigh tightness that he picked up in training after the game against Northampton Town.
Inwood has not been seen since Cardiff City, and he has been back in training with the expectation that he can get back soon.
Holloway said: “Hopefully we will have Hungbo back soon and Inwood, and then I will be scratching my head [over who to play], but I don’t care.”
At the same time as Kirkman’s injury was discovered, Virtue felt discomfort in his hamstring, and it was also found that his two hamstrings were unbalanced.
Holloway said: “I don’t know yet, and you can’t tell with Matt. I haven’t spoken to Matt, and he is a wonderful bloke and keeps himself to himself. You don’t want to be tackled by him.
“I am sure he will be fine, but I don’t want to say anything, really.”
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