CHRIS Withington seems set to complete more than a month on the sidelines after City boss Ashley Vincent confirmed he would miss a “minimum” of two more weeks.

The influential midfielder suffered an ankle problem which forced his first-half withdrawal at Coventry United at the end of January.

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There was a glimmer of hope at the time that he would make it back for a crunch FA Vase clash with Atherstone Town but the combative enforcer has still not been seen.

“We are still assessing his progress at every opportunity we get,” said Vincent.

“He is not going to be back in the side imminently, though, we are still a couple of weeks away, minimum.”

The setback could not come at a worse time with defender Craig Jones requiring staples in the head wound he suffered in last week’s replay with Atherstone and Kurtis Mewies still to serve three of his four-match ban. Jamie Smith is available again from Saturday.

“We have to be responsible with Jonah, he still has staples in his head and was due to have them out this week,” added Vincent.

“I am still thinking the next two games on Saturday and Tuesday will be too soon for him.

“On a night like Monday in those dying minutes, it was a Kurtis or Jonah we needed, someone gritty who would put their body, head, even face in the way to keep it out.

“That’s nothing against the other boys but it is something they have to bring to their games, that winning mentality.

“Sometimes it isn’t pretty but it is what you do to get over that winning line.

“Still, we have a squad for a reason and it is up to the rest of the boys to make sure their names stay on the team sheet.”

While there are still problems at the other end of the pitch with Demetri Brown struggling, Marco Adaggio is edging back towards full fitness with Cheltenham Town youngster Charlie Stanton registered as cover.

On Brown and Adaggio, Vincent said: “Both are carrying knocks.

“Demetri was on the bench because we had looked at him before the game to see whether we could get those handful of minutes from him.

“It was a no-go but he was here and it was not like we had another option so he was named but never going to be used.

“Dag has been struggling quite badly with a dead leg and was unable to move freely.

“He knows we are short on bodies and gives us everything he has. His problem is easing off by the day and we hope he will be in contention for even more minutes, if not to start on Saturday.”