NATHAN CLARKE could have to wait until the weekend to discover the extent of his latest knee injury setback.

And with Jon Worthington not due for a further examination of his nagging groin problem until Monday, Town manager Peter Jackson has an axis of concern.

Whatever the outcome of centre-back Clarke's MRI scan and midfielder Worthington's visit to a second specialist, Jackson is resigned to being without both players when Town go to Bristol City on Saturday aiming for a fourth win in five League I games.

He has an additional worry over midfielder Chris Brandon, who came off at half-time in Saturday's 3-1 home win over Gillingham saying he felt "lethargic".

But while Brandon missed training yesterday, on-loan Blackburn left-back Andy Taylor did complete the Storthes Hall work-out after missing out on a Town debut against Gillingham through illness.

That means he should be in line to play at Bristol City, who will be aiming to hit back after last night's 1-0 loss at Scunthorpe.

Jackson was at Glanford Park to take a first-hand look at Gary Johnson's side, who were beaten 2-1 at the Galpharm in August.

And he was today bound for the City Ground, where Town Reserves were in Pontin's Holidays League Central Division action against Nottingham Forest (2.00).

In between, Jackson was following up calls on potential loan signings, with Coca-Cola League clubs able to make fresh moves from Thursday onwards.

A centre-back and a striker top his list of priorities when it comes to borrowing.

And the question marks over Clarke and Martin McIntosh have added to the boss's sense of urgency.

Scottish defender McIntosh was left out of the squad against Gillingham.

That followed a discussion last Wednesday during which the Scot, who had previously been told he was free to look for another club, told Jackson that if he couldn't be offered a contract for next season, he wouldn't be in the right frame of mind to play.

McIntosh, who had a spell on loan at Grimsby earlier this season, was due to play for the Reserves at Forest, although Jackson wouldn't say whether that was to put him in the shop window or to give him a chance to stake his claim for a place against Bristol City.

John McCombe, who came on for Clarke against Gillingham, didn't travel with the Reserves, suggesting he is being kept fresh for the West Country assignment.

On Clarke, who was making his return after 11 matches out with a damaged right knee, Jackson said: "It's a great pity and a worrying time for both Nathan and myself and he's feeling low - understandably.

"He took a blow to the same knee when Gillingham scored their goal (in the 70th minute).

"At this stage, the joint is still swollen, and it's impossible to say whether it's a recurrence of the previous problem or a new one.

"All we can do is keep the joint iced up, wait for the MRI scan, which looks likely to be on Saturday, and hope it shows the injury isn't too serious."

Skipper Worthington, who has been troubled by an injury to his right groin, saw one specialist last week before being referred to another with a particular interest in sports-related injuries.

He has had two hernia operations in the past, and the fear is he will need further surgery.

Brandon came off at half-time against Gillingham to tell Jackson he felt "tired and lethargic".

Jackson said: "Chris was still feeling below-par yesterday and we'll assess him over the next couple of days.

"It could be he's got some kind of bug, and we'll have to see how things progress."

Matt Young took over from Brandon on Saturday while fellow midfielder Adnan Ahmed, who was on the bench, was further sharpening up after his recent three-match ban by playing in today's Reserve match.

Town: Eastwood, Racchi, Killock, Hardy, Wilson, McIntosh, Malcher, Ahmed, McAliskey, Akins, Hand. Subs (from): Smithies, Bailey, Hallam, Broadbent, Codman, Roberts.

* Daniel Broadbent, Luke Malcher and Lucas Akins scored as Town's Academy side won 3-2 at Middlesbrough on Saturday.