HEAD coach Conor Hourihane admits that the Reds will have to dip into the transfer market for defensive cover after Marc Roberts was ruled out for two months through injury – and he’s hopeful of a new signing before the weekend.

The 35-year-old was taken off before half-time in Barnsley’s 3-1 win at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Hourihane confirmed this week that his injury will keep him out for at least a couple of months and, coupled with Jack Shepherd’s suspension, he admits the Reds need cover across the back line.

He said: “Robbo is struggling for the near future.

“It’s a disappointing one for him.

“He will be out of action for the next couple of months off the back of the prognosis.

“It’s unfortunate, he had the news over the last couple of days.

“He’s a big part of the group and I still want him at the games and in and around the dressing room.

“He can bring some valuable experience.

“There’s no getting away from it and there’s no point me sitting here and saying ‘we’re going to be ok’.

“We need a little bit of cover and a body to come in in that area.

“Whether that’s a centre-back or a right-back time will tell.

“We are looking into things so fingers crossed.

“We’re hoping for some movements over the next couple of days.”

Asked if Kacper Lopata could come into the team tomorrow, Hourihane said: “No, I don’t think so.

“I don’t think that’s one that we’ll be looking at.

“There’s a couple of bodies that need to get out, go play and advance their careers.”

The Reds collected 26 points from their 23 home games this season – with six wins – which is understood to be the lowest points tally in the third tier in their history.

Hourihane says he knows that needs to change this campaign.

He said: “If you want to have any success in the league then you have to win home and away.

“That’s nothing to shy away from.

“It’s a different squad and a different way of thinking.

“You look at David McGoldrick and Caylan Vickers who haven’t experienced it.

“it’s a fresh mindset and it’s nothing to pinpoint too much.

“For us it’s just another game.”

And he’s backed the Barnsley faithful to be behind the team against Burton Albion tomorrow – urging them to support the team no matter the result.

“I know firsthand what the atmosphere and the volume can be like around Oakwell,” he said.

“I was fortunate enough to be involved in a successful team who made Oakwell buzzing and bouncing.

“I’m really keen to bring that back.

“It can be such a tough place for opposition players and teams.

“We need to try and create that starting from the weekend.

“I ask the fans to bring the volume and energy and whether it does or doesn’t go well, still sing your hearts out.”

Burton went on a miraculous road to survival last season, helped in part by Bristol Rovers’ demise.

But when manager Gary Bowyer took charge in December, the Brewers had only won two league games.

They went onto win nine more and finished the season fifth bottom, narrowly avoiding relegation to League Two.

Like the Reds, Burton started their season with a win last weekend.

They beat Mansfield Town 2-1 at home, with a double from former Chelsea youngster Charlie Webster.

But what is Conor Hourihane expecting from tomorrow’s game?

“I really like them,” he said.

“Gary’s got a team together that know how to get results in the league.

“Ever since he’s gone in they’ve been on a really good run of form to get out of relegation.

“They had the win at the weekend so we know we need to be bang at it to get the result we want.

“We’re fully expecting a difficult game again.”

The Brewers have a number of former Reds in their ranks.

They signed Kyran Lofthouse from Barnsley earlier this summer.

He joins Toby Sibbick, Jasper Moon, Jason Sraha and Harry Isted as former Reds now playing in yellow.

Jake Beesley, the former Shaw Lane Aqua Force striker, is also a key man up front for Bowyer’s side.

Meanwhile in the Reds camp, Josh Earl played nine times for Burton on loan from Preston in 2021.

And Davis Keillor-Dunn also spent six months with the Brewers in 2022.

The two sides have faced each other 16 times, with the Reds winning seven, drawing five and losing three.