City Lose Mills

Last updated : 16 November 2006 By Andy Beill
The forthcoming game against Stoke on Saturday would have been the last of Mills' two-month loan contract, though City were hopeful of extending it by another month.

However, that won't now be happening as the defender faces time in the treatment room at Eastlands.

Andy Dawson looks set for a recall to the team after finding his place under threat. He can come in at left back, with Sam Ricketts - who played 90 minutes for Wales in their 4-0 win against Lichenstein last night - swapping back to the right in place of Mills. Phil Parkinson may also consider recalling Alton Thelwell early from his loan spell at Leyton Orient, which he can do next week.

Parkinson has Steve McPhee returning to fitness though. He played 60 minutes for the reserves in last night's 3-1 East Riding Senior Cup win against Hall Road Rangers after over a year out injured. Reserve team players Russell Fry and Ben Wilkinson also made returns from injuries.

Centre forward Jon Parkin, who went off with an ankle injury sustained in Saturday's win over Wolves, will have exploratory surgery on Monday. It could show he'll be out for up to three months.