Bristol Rovers must beat MK Dons to have any credible hope of avoiding relegation from League One, but Joey Barton's resources could be depleted for the meeting at the Mem.
The Pirates are in dire straits following Saturday's defeat to Lincoln City, six points from safety with just four games remaining, and Barton's seemingly impossible task of resurrecting Rovers from here could be made tougher.
Luke McCormick, Anssi Jaakkola and Brandon Hanlan did not train on Monday due to injury concerns.
Should Rovers lose on Tuesday, the "play the kids" shouts from supporters will be justified, but it is not quite that time yet.
Here is the expected Rovers team to play MK Dons on Tuesday...
Defence
Jaakkola is a vital leader in Barton's squad, but he was held back from training on Monday after feeling soreness from Saturday's defeat. He will be desperate to play and, should he be signed off by the medical staff, he will start in goal. Joe Day will come in if Jaakkola is injured.
Despite playing much of Saturday's game with 10 men, Rovers were defensively sound for long periods until they were desperately chasing the game late on, and Barton is unlikely to make changes to the back three of George Williams, Alfie Kilgour and Cian Harries.
Josh Hare was unfortunate to be sacrificed at half time on Saturday and he could get the chance to start again at right wing-back. Luke Leahy will start on the left.
Alex Rodman is unlikely to make the squad having battled injury and illness for the past few weeks, but Mark Little, David Tutonda and Jack Baldwin should make the bench.
Midfield
Rovers were preparing an appeal against Ed Upson's red card received against Lincoln, but a verdict is yet to be announced. In his stead, Pablo Martinez will continue in holding midfield. Should McCormick be fit, he will be tasked with running the game in the middle of the park.
McCormick being pushed into a deeper role should allow young talent Zain Walker another starting chance, and his could be paired with Zain Westbrooke in support of a sole striker.
Erhun Oztumer, Cameron Hargreaves, Ben Liddle and Josh Barrett are options for the bench.
Attack
With Hanlan's chances of playing dependent on the results of a scan on his hip, and James Daly set to miss the game after injuring his hamstring in the warm-up on Saturday, Jonah Ayunga appears Rovers' only option to play up top. Barton will be desperate for the striker to convert promising performances into goals.
Should Hanlan and Daly miss out, it may be time for someone like first-year pro Kieran Phillips – who made his senior debut earlier in the season – to get a chance on the bench.
Rovers (3-4-2-1): Jaakkola; Williams, Kilgour, Harries; Hare, McCormick, Martinez, Leahy; Westbrooke, Walker; Ayunga.
