Boss Curle giving nothing away ahead of Burton Albion trip

Hoskins has featured in all 12 of Town's league games so far this season, starting 11 of them, but he sat out Tuesday night's Papa John's Trophy clash with Stevenage at the PTS Academy Stadium.

For the 0-0 draw, Curle made just two changes to the team that lost to Accrington last Saturday, with striker Harry Smith the other player to drop out.

It was presumed both players had been rested, but on Wednesday night some eagle-eyed supporters spotted a post on Hoskins' Instagram page that suggested the player may have suffered an injury.

Asked directly if Hoskins had was injured or rested, Curle said: "I think there were a few players that didn't make the 18 on Tuesday, and sometimes you need to give players a complete rest. Even to just miss out on the build means you are able to mentally, physically rest players."

Asked about the message on social media that hinted Hoskins may have suffered an injury, Curle said: "When you operate with a 20, 21 or 22-man squad, if you take two or three out then it makes it very easy for the opposition to start naming your team."

Definitely out for the weekend are Joseph Mills and Scott Pollock as they continue to recover from their operations.

Pushing for inclusion for the trip to the Pirelli Stadium are midfield pair Shaun McWilliams and Chris Lines, who both made second-half substitiute appearances against Stevenage.

McWilliams is being eased back into things after recovering from a serious knee inury sustained on Boxing day last year at Crawley Town, while Lines has been missing for what Curle said last week was 'a personal matter'.

They both got 30 minutes against Stevenage, and that was McWilliams' first action since he lined up in the 2-1 defeat at Plymouth on October 17, while Lines made his first appearance since October 6, when he started the 5-0 EFL Trophy hammering of Southampton Under-21s.

"I think they both came into the team and they both had an impact," said Curle.

"They have both been chomping at the bit.

"With Shaun we have been very protective about picking the right time to give him more game time, but he has been training excellently.

"When he came he did well, and when Linesy came on he showed some good touches, some good positional play, and was getting back into his old style of being able to carry the ball and affect the game in a positive manner."