Lawless faces another spell on the sidelines

The Welshman picked up the injury during Town’s 1-0 win over Northampton last month and was wearing a protective boot at training this afternoon.

Boss John Still said: “It is (a chipped bone) and it looks like that will be three weeks. It could have been a lot worse, so we understand that it’s that now and we can get on with it.

“It’s disappointing for him, but he should be back for Christmas time and hopefully over the things that have given him difficulties.

“If we can get him back fit over Christmas we’ll be delighted as we’ve missed that person that gives us something on the right hand side when he’s played there.

“It’s been pleasing that Shaun (Whalley) has shown so well and to be fair so has (Luke) Rooney, both have been excellent in training and outstanding in the games.

“With Alex not available, and also Pelly (Ruddock Mpanzu) too, it means its not been too terrible for us.”

Defender Curtley Williams will also be out of this weekend’s clash with Mansfield Town after dislocating his shoulder for the second time this season during the development game against Leyton Orient on Tuesday.

Still continued: “He’s got a problem, so we’ll have to get by that.

“If it’s pinned he’ll be out for a little while and we’re just waiting for the results from that.

“We really, really like him and it’s a blow for us but it’s a blow for him as well.

“He’s trying to make his career go for him, there’s nothing you can do about it.

“The adversity makes the strong stronger and weak weaker, so we’ll see where he fits in that. Hopefully it makes him stronger.”

Centre half Luke Wilkinson is also absent after his red card in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Burton as Still kept his cards close to his chest on whether Fraser Franks or Alex Lacey would replace him.

He said: “It’s nice to have someone that can come in, but we might have something else up our sleeve.”

Striker Ross Lafayette is expected to return to training next week, but there was good news for Mark Cullen and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu as Still added: “Cullen has trained all week this week so he’s okay. Pelly hasn’t trained, he’s going to train tomorrow though.

“He played in the development game on Tuesday and was okay, but he hasn’t trained today.

“He had an injury and he’s getting over it, but he was okay to play in the game and played within himself, so we’ll have a look at him tomorrow.”