MARC Roberts and Josh Earl will be missing from Barnsley’s defence for at least the next month while Fabio Jalo is set to miss three months.

Earl and Jalo missed out on the game against Birmingham on Saturday due to injury while Roberts and Stephen

Humphrys came off during the 2-1 loss.

Darrell Clarke confirmed that Roberts is out for about six weeks with a torn calf and Earl four to six weeks.

Jalo needs an operation on his shoulder so is set to miss three months, but Humphrys is ‘fine.’

Head coach Clarke said: “It’s not great news but we will get on with it. It’s an opportunity for one or two to come into the team.”

Midfielder and top-scorer Adam Phillips is suspended for a game after being sent off on Saturday.

Centre-back Conor McCarthy made his first league appearance for the club in more than two years on Saturday, coming on for Roberts then going off after Phillips’ red card. He could start for the first time this weekend at Exeter City since an ACL injury in September 2022.

Clarke said: “Conor came on and off which was tactical because I wanted two men up front. He is massively in contention for Saturday. He’s been patient and now he comes into the reckoning.”

Striker Max Watters has missed the last five games after coming off injured at Cambridge last month.