Ash and Pouts sidelined for weeks

Last updated : 07 March 2005 By Simon Head

Pouton: more injury woe

Midfielder Alan Pouton, back in the starting lineup, was forced off in the opening 20 minutes with a bruised joint in his back, while centre half Barry Ashby was carried off in the second half after suffering a severely sprained ankle.

According to the club physio Simon Webster, Pouts will be out for two to three weeks, while Ashby's injury looks set to rule him out for around four to five weeks.

Defender Ian Cox and striker Darren Byfield are both reported to be in contention for this weekend's match at Elland Road, while goalkeeper Jason Brown is recovering well from his thigh injury and could be back in the fold by the Stoke City match the following Tuesday.