Bryan Gunn is likely to put the brakes on any loan moves for out-of-favour midfielders Mark Fotheringham and Matty Pattison after paying a heavy price for victory over Plymouth on Saturday.

Bryan Gunn is likely to put the brakes on any loan moves for out-of-favour midfielders Mark Fotheringham and Matty Pattison after paying a heavy price for victory over Plymouth on Saturday.

Playmaker Wes Hoolahan limped off at half-time with possible ankle ligament damage while Darel Russell received two yellow cards in the second half and will definitely miss the trip to Birmingham on Saturday as well as the home game against Sheffield Wednesday on April 4 - because it was his second dismissal of the season.

“Wes has gone away with a boot on tonight,” said Gunn. “I'm sure there will be an X-ray involved. He was sore at half-time and it's edging towards a ligament injury, but we will have to wait and see what the X-ray or scan shows up.

“If that injury is serious we might lose him for a couple of games.”

Hoolahan's absence can be covered by David Carney or even Pattison, who could be challenging Fotheringham for the right to play alongside Sammy Clingan in the centre in Russell's absence.

Gunn said last week that Pattison would be allowed to leave on loan, if the deal suited City, but is unlikely to allow that to happen now. Fotheringham's future has been in doubt since Gunn took away the captain's armband after his reaction to being substituted during the home match against Coventry a fortnight ago when he headed straight for the tunnel.

While they appeared to be permanently sidelined, the City boss has always insisted that both could have a role to play before the end of the season.

“Everyone is available for selection,” said Gunn. “I have said all along that we might need some of these players that haven't been included in the 11, in the 16, and also ones that are sitting on the fringes of the squad. Everyone is in contention.”

Russell received his first booking for dissent and the second in time added on for persistent fouls, after a challenge on Karl Duguid.

“I was disappointed with the sending off,” Gunn said. “Speaking to the fourth official over the first booking, Darel looked like he got a toe to the ball. It should never have been a booking.

“The referee said as we walked off that he had booked him again for persistent fouling - there were lots of fouls out there in the middle of the park, lots of challenges going on. Now we have lost a very influential player for one or two games because Darel has been sent of this season already. We are disappointed with that, but at the same time we have to regroup and it gives somebody else a chance to come in and perform to the same levels Darel has done in recent weeks.”