WANDERERS will have to do without defender Josh Earl for another weekend, at least.

The on-loan Preston North End man suffered a minor tear in his thigh during last week’s 2-0 victory at Bristol Rovers.

Despite completing 90 minutes at the Memorial Stadium Earl reported the problem late last week and did not travel with the squad to Lincoln.

It is hoped he can return for the FA Cup First Round tie against Plymouth on November 9 but medical staff will have to keep an eye on his recovery over the next seven days before giving him the thumbs-up to train again.

The extent of Ali Crawford’s injury should also become apparent soon after the midfielder had scans yesterday to establish whether he has suffered ligament damage.

The 28-year-old jarred his knee late in the game against Manchester City and stands to miss at least a couple of months of football if, in the best-case scenario, it turns out to be a cartilage injury.