Ashley Ward is unlikely to play again this season.

The City striker is still suffering after fracturing a rib against Sheffield Wednesday last month.

Ward has been sidelined for four games and, while the club have not yet ruled him out completely, there does not seem much chance he will be risked in the remaining few weeks.

Physio Steve Redmond said: "Ashley is still feeling the rib. It's affecting his breathing and slowing him down.

"We haven't made a decision yet that he won't play again this season but it's more likely than not that he won't be featuring."

Ward has had another season hampered by injury. He has played 25 games, scoring three, but has been forced on to the sidelines for lengthy spells because of various problems.

He spent two months injured in mid-season after being stretchered off at Brighton.

But there is better news for hamstring victim Wayne Jacobs. He will not be ready for the Easter clashes with Watford and Gillingham but has a chance of returning at Preston on April 26.

Redmond said: "Wayne is probably a week to ten days away but we're confident he can make the last three games of the season."

Jacobs has not started since the Walsall home game in mid-February when he lasted only 25 minutes before limping off.