UNDER-PRESSURE Neil Lennon has defended his decision to axe Gary Madine from his squad on Tuesday night.

The Wanderers boss has instigated disciplinary measures against the striker after an exchange of words in the aftermath of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against QPR.

Madine was excluded from the group that lost 1-0 at Birmingham City to slip further behind in the relegation battle and was asked to train with the academy players.

Lennon’s lack of attacking options were highlighted in a game that saw the Whites register just one shot on target and the manager admitted it was “possible” the 25-year-old could make a comeback in this weekend’s game against Burnley.

But with the manager still sore over the issue, Madine may be asked to apologise before he is brought back into the first-team fold.

“I am very disappointed because it is not what I need right now,” Lennon told The Bolton News. “But there are standards that you have to set as a manager.

“I am fair with the players and I have let instances go in the past but I couldn’t let this one go.

“I have stuck by all the players. I praise them when they do well and, very rarely, I criticise them when they don’t do as well, as I should. I think in the main I treat my players as best as anyone would.

“I feel very let down.”

Dorian Dervite had scans yesterday on a knee problem which are expected to show ligament damage that could keep the Frenchman out for a month or more.

Dervite has had to manage his training in the last few weeks as the knee injury flared up but limped off in the first half at St Andrew’s after the home side went ahead.

David Wheater is still on the road to recovery after a hamstring tear, which leaves Rob Holding and Derik Osede as the most likely pairing to face Burnley this weekend.

Wanderers will definitely be without Ben Amos, with Lennon confirming his number one goalkeeper will miss between three to six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

Lennon asked the Football League if he could bring in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan but was rejected as the club is still under a complete transfer embargo for failing to submit their accounts to FFP regulators.

Checks will be also made on Emile Heskey, who missed the Birmingham City game with a hip injury.