WANDERERS could be without their first-choice strikers once again for tomorrow night’s visit of Oxford United.

Keith Hill confirmed after the 6-1 defeat at Rotherham United that both Daryl Murphy and Chris O’Grady had picked up injuries in the build-up to the weekend, missing their chance to make a debut at the New York Stadium.

Will Buckley and Harry Brockbank were also ruled out, leaving Hill to rejig his squad on the morning of the game.

“The players we lost through injury have been through freak incidents on the training ground, not over-training etc,” said Hill, who did not disclose the exact nature of the injuries.

“The one avoidable one was Harry Brockbank, who was doing extras, so I’ll put that down to me and my staff. But the rest came completely out of the blue.

“We are not too sure if anyone will be back for Tuesday.”

Hill played Ali Crawford through the centre of a three-man attack and the absence of his two most senior front men was felt, admitted the Bolton boss.

“Psychologically it would have made a difference for the rest of the team,” he said. “Unfortunately we lost them both – and then Will Buckley this morning. It’s hard but I can’t stand here and moan. It’s an opportunity for the players who came in.”

The margin of defeat at Rotherham was an eye-opener for Hill but nevertheless he does not expect a hangover in his first home league match.

“I want us to react positively, accept defeat and move on to the next game,” he said. “Pain and perseverance get you rich reward.

“From a manager’s perspective I don’t like the scoreboard, or losing a game, but from an honest perspective it shows you where we are and what we are fighting against.”