Tony Mowbray reckons Ryan Alebiosu will be fine for Rovers’ trip to Preston North End at the weekend.
The right-back came off in stoppage time at Lincoln City and was replaced by Academy prospect Lucas Houghton.
Harry Pickering has missed the last couple of games on the other side of defence, and Mowbray doesn’t expect the 27-year-old to be back in time for Deepdale.
The head coach also doesn’t expect new signing Gady Beyuku to be involved at the weekend due to his lack of minutes in pre-season.
“Pickers isn’t going to play,” he said. “I would think Alebiosu will be OK. Whilst he's a wonderful talent, he's at times fragile.
“But I think the right words in his ear from the physio department will get him ready for the weekend, I'm pretty sure.
“We are thin on the ground defensively, I can see that, we all can see that. There is one addition coming in (Beyuku) but he won't help because I don't think he has played much football this year.
“He is going to have to train, get himself ready, probably play a 21s game and get up to speed quickly.”
Balazs Toth was also absent from the squad at Sincil Bank. There had been speculation over the goalkeeper’s future amid links with Celtic.
“I don't think it is a few weeks, I think it was tightness,” Mowbray explained. “I think he was concerned because it was around the last day and he wasn't sure anything was going to happen.
“I don't think he pulled out with something that wasn't there, I am pretty sure, because he went for a scan and the scan showed some damage.
“He did come and see me and assured me that it was nothing to do with the transfer deadline day. He felt his thigh, he didn't want to kick some balls and rupture it completely and be out for months, so I think he made a very mature decision.
“Pearsy obviously came in and did exceptionally well, as he has done in the past. I would suggest we will probably stick with Aynsley in the shorter term, see how it goes and see how Toth is. But they are adding up, they are mounting up, the problems.
“Nine before tonight, a suspension now, we have got to keep going. The left back (Yuri Ribeiro) is really delicate at the moment as well.
“He is running through a brick wall for us at the moment because he could easily be sitting on the bench. He has got lots of knocks and niggles around his calves and his knees, but he has been warrior-like to play."
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