Burton Albion‘s Mark Robinson has revealed yet another player has joined the injury list as his side prepares to play Rotherham United.
The Brewers are one of four sides still in search of their first league win of the season, alongside Blackpool, Cambridge United and Leyton Orient. Albion have however been hard to beat, securing three draws and a solitary loss against Lincoln City on opening day.
Their last two games against Northampton Town and Stevenage have been goalless draws and will be hoping to change that as they travel to Yorkshire this weekend. However, they will be without 19-year-old Ronnie Stutter at New York Stadium, having picked up a groin injury.
In his pre-match press conference, Robinson discussed the injury to the Chelsea loanee amongst others. He said (Quotes via Staffordshire Live): “We picked up an injury to Ronnie Stutter this morning (Thursday) which is a real shame as he’s been training brilliantly. He’s tweaked a groin, just tapping a ball into to the net, basically. It can’t be what we’re doing because he obviously hasn’t been with us that long.
“It’s a blow because in the few sessions he’s looked really bright. We didn’t really think we could get him in the window, so we were really chuffed that we did. Now I’ve got to think, well, I haven’t got him for a few weeks and we just have to stay positive.
“It’s just adjusting, the way I’m looking at it. But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We can’t catch a break at the moment but it is what it is.”
The former AFC Wimbledon boss also revealed that top scorer Billy Bodin will also be out for another month and that both Charlie Webster and Julian Larsson have begun training. goalkeeper Max Crocombe’s involvement is also in question due to his involvement with New Zealand over the past week.
Bodin joined the club this summer on a free transfer from the promoted Oxford United, and has scored three times in four league games. He netted a brace against Mansfield Town but was subbed off with a calf injury in the first half against Northampton.
On potential replacements for the 32-year-old, Robinson added: “I don’t think you can replace Billy exactly, because every player has their own qualities. He’s one of the few who have a wealth of experience in this division and a lot of quality, so I don’t think you should try and replace him.
“What we’ve got to do is try and replace the threat that Billy has and that might look a little bit different, someone with attributes that Billy possibly hasn’t got.
“We need to look at that and see how we can replace him – but obviously he’s not an easy player to replace. Jack Cooper-Love came in and did well.
“He is still adjusting to a very physical league but I was pleased with how he did when he came on. We have a couple of options there and we just need to assess it over the next 24 hours.”
Writer’s View
Burton Albion have been very unfortunate so far on the injury front. Losing a key player like Billy Bodin will dent their goalscoring prowess over the next month and with both Ronnie Stutter and Julian Larsson unlikely to play in Rotherham do leave them short over the next stretch of games. What Mark Robinson has done well though is make them hard to beat. After conceding that late winner to Lincoln, they have done well to secure three straight draws.
The Millers are still arguably finding their feet in League One following their relegation. Steve Evans has finally got them going with a win over Huddersfield Town and a draw in their last game against Charlton Athletic last time out. They do need to get going and soon as the teams at the top of the table such as Wrexham and Birmingham City are already making a sizable points gap on a team expected to compete at the top of the league this season.
