Albion have been hit by two fresh injury problems for Saturday's trip to promotion-chasing Northampton.

Manager Micky Adams rates Warren Aspinall "extremely doubtful", because of lower back and ankle damage. Goalkeeper Mark Walton also missed training yesterday with a foot injury.

Aspinall was replaced early in the second half of last Saturday's home draw against Plymouth by youth teamer Shaun Wilkinson. His probable absence for the visit to the Sixfields Stadium increases Adams' desire to sign a midfielder.

Paul Rogers is suspended for one match and Bristol City midfielder Carl Hutchings did a dramatic U-turn last week by returning to Brentford after signing to join Albion on loan.

Adams said: "We are very short of numbers full stop and I am particularly looking to strengthen in that area. I made a lot of enquiries last week and I will be chasing those calls up."

Darren Carr, sidelined from the Plymouth game by a calf injury, also serves a one-match suspension at Northampton, while Rod Thomas begins a three-match ban. The doubt over Walton is compounded by an injury to third choice goalkeeper Will Packham. He missed training yesterday as well after suffering slight concussion in the youth team on Saturday.

The youth team are in action today in their last League fixture at home to Colchester. And that means Adams, reserve coach Ian Culverhouse and youth team coach Dean Wilkins could all play in tomorrow night's Sussex Senior Cup quarter-final at Sidley.

"I might play at Sidley," Adams confirmed. "We are short of numbers because the youth team have a game, so Deano and Culvers are also definitely in the frame."

Meanwhile, Ross Johnson completed his free move to Colchester yesterday on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

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