Nigel Clough has confirmed that Burton Albion captain John Mousinho will miss Friday night's home tie against Birmingham City with injury - and it is "very doubtful" fellow defender Stephen Warnock will be passed fit for the clash.
Brewers' skipper Mousinho has not featured in the last couple of games after starting the opening league game against Cardiff City and the Carabao Cup win over Oldham Athletic.
Clough's decision to play a three-man defence at Hull City meant that the ex-Preston North End man had to drop to the bench for the 4-1 defeat at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday.
But the reasons for his absence in Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat to Boro were because of a hamstring strain sustained in training - one that has also ruled him out for Friday night's home game under the lights against Birmingham.
Defender Warnock could join Mousinho in the stands after rolling his ankle just minutes into the Hull match.
Clough said after the loss at Boro that there was no genuine damage to Warnock's ankle, but they must wait for it to 'settle down'.
And with Ben Turner serving the final game of his five-match suspension, the Brewers are limited to what defence they can put out.
It's not all bad news for the Brewers, though, with Jackson Irvine returning after serving a one-match suspension for his red card against Hull.
Hope Akpan could also return if his dismissal against Boro is overturned in Albion's favour - with a decision due before Friday night.
Burton are not the only side struggling with personnel in certain areas.
Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp bemoaned the lack of attacking options available to him after Tuesday night's 0-0 stalemate with Bolton Wanderers, saying that his side didn't have the "ammunition" to hurt their visitors.
"John Mousinho will still be out, Liam Boyce is obviously out, Jackson Irvine is back," said Clough on Albion's injury situation.
"And there's (Stephen) Warnock, very doubtful I would say.
"I’ve been reading that Birmingham have got a few (injuries) as well, so it could be two reserve teams out there.
"We've both got relatively small squads, and I know Harry and Birmingham - even they are trying to bring players in.
"And they’ve got money to spend as well and he's finding it difficult to get players in.
"Unless you’re one of those top six or eight teams with a few millions to spend, it's difficult to recruit players in the Championship at the moment because there are so many big clubs."
