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Wanderers have been rocked with the news that winger Wellington Silva will be missing until after Christmas with a hamstring tear.
The Brazilian flyer stands to miss between eight to 10 weeks with the injury he sustained in the midweek defeat against Birmingham City at the Macron Stadium.
Wellington has made eight Championship starts, scoring once, and Neil Lennon described his absence as a “considerable blow.”
But the Whites boss hopes others can step into the wide left role against Leeds United tomorrow, even though his chase for new signings continues.
“We have got Max Clayton to come into that equation; Tom Walker, Kaiyne Woolery came on and did very well against Birmingham. He has been round the first team squad for a few weeks. And again we are looking to bring in one or two players.
“That option is still there and that’s what we will endeavour to do in the next day or two.”
Jay Spearing is another doubt for tomorrow’s game, although he is expected to be available for selection again next weekend when Wanderers travel to face Lancashire rivals Preston.
Lennon changed to a 4-4-2 formation on Tuesday night, partnering Emile Heskey up front with Gary Madine and dropping an extra midfielder to the bench.
He admits the experiment did not work out as planned but is confident his side will muster a reaction tomorrow at the Macron.
“We changed the tactics because I wanted to be positive at home,” he said. “We explained it to people because Birmingham let you have possession and try to counter attack but we didn’t execute it well.
“Birmingham felt relieved to come away with a win on the balance of things and that gives me a bit of hope.
We are well capable of getting a result against Leeds. We do that, and everything looks that little bit brighter.”
Lennon missed his pre-match press conference yesterday after a “breakdown in communication” over the day of the event.
The Wanderers boss had been helping Irish TV channel RTE with their Champions League coverage as a pundit, unaware that the weekly media gathering had been organised for 9am Thursday morning.
Garry Parker and Steve Walford took training yesterday as the rescheduled conference took place in the afternoon.
And Lennon was in high spirits as he vowed to turn round a wretched run of form that leaves the Whites a point adrift at the foot of the table.
“I have been through the stressing period – I’m over it. It’s not the end of the world,” he said.
“This is football, it’s my job and it means everything to me. I’m falling short at the minute but there’s a long way to go in the season.
“A lot can happen in 34 games and we’ll win some, starting Saturday against Leeds. We’re more than capable.
“Yes, it’s a case of keeping the players bubbly but the belief is still there.
“What I want to do is stabilise the club in the Championship and then hopefully go again over the course of a year, 18 months, two years and gradually improve things.
“We have got good players here and we have brought good players to the club.
“It is only a matter of time before we find a consistent run.
“It’s OK me saying that – but I know supporters will run out of patience and they have been very, very good. I want to return that favour.”
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The Brazilian flyer stands to miss between eight to 10 weeks with the injury he sustained in the midweek defeat against Birmingham City at the Macron Stadium.
Wellington has made eight Championship starts, scoring once, and Neil Lennon described his absence as a “considerable blow.”
But the Whites boss hopes others can step into the wide left role against Leeds United tomorrow, even though his chase for new signings continues.
“We have got Max Clayton to come into that equation; Tom Walker, Kaiyne Woolery came on and did very well against Birmingham. He has been round the first team squad for a few weeks. And again we are looking to bring in one or two players.
“That option is still there and that’s what we will endeavour to do in the next day or two.”
Jay Spearing is another doubt for tomorrow’s game, although he is expected to be available for selection again next weekend when Wanderers travel to face Lancashire rivals Preston.
Lennon changed to a 4-4-2 formation on Tuesday night, partnering Emile Heskey up front with Gary Madine and dropping an extra midfielder to the bench.
He admits the experiment did not work out as planned but is confident his side will muster a reaction tomorrow at the Macron.
“We changed the tactics because I wanted to be positive at home,” he said. “We explained it to people because Birmingham let you have possession and try to counter attack but we didn’t execute it well.
“Birmingham felt relieved to come away with a win on the balance of things and that gives me a bit of hope.
We are well capable of getting a result against Leeds. We do that, and everything looks that little bit brighter.”
Lennon missed his pre-match press conference yesterday after a “breakdown in communication” over the day of the event.
The Wanderers boss had been helping Irish TV channel RTE with their Champions League coverage as a pundit, unaware that the weekly media gathering had been organised for 9am Thursday morning.
Garry Parker and Steve Walford took training yesterday as the rescheduled conference took place in the afternoon.
And Lennon was in high spirits as he vowed to turn round a wretched run of form that leaves the Whites a point adrift at the foot of the table.
“I have been through the stressing period – I’m over it. It’s not the end of the world,” he said.
“This is football, it’s my job and it means everything to me. I’m falling short at the minute but there’s a long way to go in the season.
“A lot can happen in 34 games and we’ll win some, starting Saturday against Leeds. We’re more than capable.
“Yes, it’s a case of keeping the players bubbly but the belief is still there.
“What I want to do is stabilise the club in the Championship and then hopefully go again over the course of a year, 18 months, two years and gradually improve things.
“We have got good players here and we have brought good players to the club.
“It is only a matter of time before we find a consistent run.
“It’s OK me saying that – but I know supporters will run out of patience and they have been very, very good. I want to return that favour.”
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