Burton`s bid for Football League survival has been dealt a blow with the news that Ryan Austin will miss the remainder of the season with a hand problem.
The defender sustained the injury during the 4-1 home defeat to relegation rivals Barnet at the weekend and will undergo surgery on Wednesday.
"At first we just thought it was something innocuous but he`s had a scan and there is ligament damage which requires immediate surgery," Albion boss Paul Peschisolido told the club`s official website.
"It`s a blow coming into the serious stage of the season as we need everybody pulling together."
Source: PA