Defensive duo Steve Howey and Sylvain Distin have been ruled out of the game against rivals United after picking up injuries in the 1-0 Worthington Cup defeat to Wigan on Tuesday.

Distin pulled a hamstring which is likely to keep him out for at least a month, while Keegan is awaiting the results of a scan on Howey's foot.

But it is feared the former Newcastle centre-half has a stress fracture which could lead to a substantial lay-off.

"The two players have no chance for this week's derby," Keegan told the club's website.

"Sylvain has pulled his hamstring so we are looking at four to five weeks.

"The last time Steve Howey had something similar to this he was sidelined for four weeks.

"We have to look on it as an opportunity for someone else, that is all we can do.

"We did have a lot of centre-backs in the club so if there is one position where we can take a couple of knocks it is probably there more than anywhere else."