Trio to miss start of season through injury

Nicky Adams, Scott Pollock and Shaun McWilliams will all miss the start of the new season through injury.

Adams picked up a knock in training a few weeks ago while Pollock has been struggling with a groin problem for some time.

McWilliams, meanwhile, is in the final phase of his recovery from a long-term knee injury.

"I think Nicky will be out for four weeks," said manager Keith Curle. "It'll probably be about three weeks until he's back on the grass and he's a quick healer and a fit lad.

"Shaun McWilliams is probably two and a half, three weeks away from joining in training and Scotty's about six weeks from being back on the grass."

There was a more encouraging update on Sam Hoskins after the midfielder was forced off with a hamstring knock during Saturday's friendly against Luton.

Curle added: "With Sam, we think it's just a bit of cramp on his hamstring - it's precautionary but we do the right thing by taking him off to make sure nothing escalates.

"We've got other players coming back in and it's about the trust I've got in the medical department and the strength and conditioning department because even when players are injured and not able to take part in training, they're still working."