DARRELL Clarke suggested that Adam Phillips is set to miss the upcoming trips to Huddersfield Town but Kelechi Nwakali and Georgie Gent are pushing for involvement in the first team.
The Reds are due to visit the Terriers on Saturday in the league and Tuesday in the EFL Trophy, before the Reds do not play for 11 days.
Midfielder Phillips, the Reds’ top-scorer this season with five goals, missed Tuesday’s 2-2 home draw with Wycombe Wanderers due to a toe injury.
Head coach Clarke said: “Phillo has had a problem for three or four weeks.
“It needs to settle down.
“It’s on his big toe where he kicks the ball.
“We are going to be cautious with him.
“We have a bit of break after Tuesday.
“We’re hoping it’s only a week or two.”
Kelechi Nwakali got a 65-minute run-out for the under 21s on Tuesday, scoring a goal and hitting the crossbar while showing an impressive passing range in a 4-3 home loss to Peterborough.
The Nigerian international midfielder, who signed a three-year deal in the summer, did not have a full pre-season and is yet to make his debut for the Reds but could potentially do so in the trophy game in midweek.
Clarke said: “He did a lot better the other day.
“Him and Georgie Gent are pushing.
“That’s what we want – players pushing for places.
“The trophy game will be a good opportunity for one or two of them to stake a claim moving forward for the league games.”
Left wing-back Gent has not played since August.
Striker Max Watters has missed the last three games with an injury and Clarke has said he is ‘a couple of weeks away’ from full fitness.
