ALAN DEVONSHIRE could be missing three key players at Tamworth tonight as his Braintree Town side look to build on their 0-0 draw with league leaders Wrexham at the weekend.

Defenders Matt Paine and Aswad Thomas will definitely miss out through suspension - the latter following his sending off in Saturday’s stalemate - while striker Sean Marks is struggling with a calf problem.

That could see a return to the first-team for striker Chib Chilaka, while defender David Stevens could be given another chance to impress in defence.

“It is difficult, you make two tackles and receive two yellow cards,” said Devonshire on Thomas’ dismissal on Saturday.

“I am not moaning and that is the way the game is going but neither were cynical fouls.

“But we will have to deal with that and the fact that Sean Marks is doubtful with a tight calf. That will give me something to look at.”

The Iron defeated Tamworth 3-1 earlier in the season but, while indifferent away from home, the Lambs have only lost once on their home patch this season.

“They are a good team and have got a good home record and I might look at freshening things up, especially after the effort all the lads put in on Saturday against Wrexham,” Devonshire added.

While the former West Ham midfielder has options in midfield and attack, he is limited as to what he can do in defence and looks set to continue with Adam Bailey Dennis and Dean Wells at the heart of the defence, and Pat O’Connor at right back.

Wells is a recent signing who made his full debut at the weekend, while Bailey-Dennis and O’Connor have been out of favour with Devonshire in recent weeks, the latter going on loan to Ryman League side, Met Police last month.

However, they responded positively on Saturday.

“Dean is a really good player and he is going to be a good asset for the team,” said Devonshire.

“He is a good communicator on the pitch and did really well considering he has only played three or four games in the last nine months.

“Adam came back too, after I had left him out for a few weeks and did the job I wanted of him, they all did.

“Nicky Symons is another player that I pulled out of the team for three or four games and he came back in against Wrexham and responded in the right way.”