Jordan Hallam, Kevin van Veen and John McAtee have picked up knocks in the week, with mixed results on whether they’ll be available for the weekend.
Hurst explained to iFollow Iron: “Kevin has got a knee injury which will keep him out for three-to-four weeks, while Jordan Hallam (hamstring) also won’t be involved this weekend. He felt his hamstring after the running that the substitutes did after the game on Saturday and Tuesday’s game (against Derby County in the Carabao Cup) will probably be too soon too.
“John McAtee came off towards the end of the Sheffield Wednesday (behind-closed-doors friendly) game and we’re not sure whether it was cramp or a slight tinge of his hamstring. He has a chance of being involved, and has taken part in training on Thursday so we’ll see if there’s a reaction or chance of being involved at the weekend.”
Andy Dales (hamstring), Clayton Lewis (thigh), Levi Sutton (knee ligaments) and Lewis Butroid (ankle) remain absent, while James Perch sits out for the second game of a three-match league suspension.
“There are far too many injuries for everyone’s liking but we have to get on with it, and it’s a chance for one or two other lads to be involved with us,” added Hurst.
Cheltenham come into the match on the back of a season-opening 1-0 defeat at Leyton Orient, and the boss added: “We’ll both be wanting to win the game. It’s Cheltenham’s first home match, they’ll be wanting to make an impression in front of their fans and I’m sure they will come out on the front foot. They had a couple of men sent off at Orient which made it extremely difficult for them, but they battled well and perhaps on another day could have come away with something.
“We’ve watched that and some of the pre-season games as well. We know some of the strengths they possess and hopefully one or two areas we might be able to exploit. I’m very much focusing on ourselves and what we need to do better than last weekend to try and come away with the points. I’m hoping we can start the game well and ask questions of Cheltenham.”
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