David Cuffley City boss Paul Lambert was today keeping his fingers crossed for his walking wounded after three of his most experienced players suffered injuries in last night's 2-1 defeat at MK Dons.

David Cuffley

City boss Paul Lambert was today keeping his fingers crossed for his walking wounded after three of his most experienced players suffered injuries in last night's 2-1 defeat at MK Dons.

Midfielder Stephen Hughes was carried off on a stretcher after 20 minutes with an Achilles problem after a challenge by ex-Canary winger Luke Chadwick, who was booked for his trouble.

Six minutes later, full-back Adam Drury hobbled off with a hip injury and, with less than an hour played, centre-half Michael Nelson was substituted because of a troublesome heel.

Hughes looked the biggest worry but all three men at least appeared to be back on their feet before the team bus left stadium mk.

With Darel Russell (calf), Matthew Gill (knee) and Owain Tudur Jones (calf) all troubled by injury, Lambert's midfield department is currently the worst affected.

Said Lambert: "Hopefully Stephen is not bad as we first thought. Adam's the same. Michael has a little problem so we just have to wait and see this week how they are going to be."

City finished the match with three teenagers on the field but Lambert said: "I was delighted with the effort, absolutely brilliant. With the injuries that happened to us in the first half to big players I was delighted with the lads' desire, which is all you can ask for.

"The injuries never disrupted as in we wilted from it - we kept on going. I couldn't ask for any more from the group of lads.

"I thought they were great, I really did. I think the crowd realised we gave everything we had to try to win the game. I don't think we deserved to lose it. That's certainly the case."