City’s sickness woes could tempt Phil Parkinson into making a deadline-beating plunge into the emergency loan market.

Football League teams have until 5pm to bring in any temporary additions – or they must wait until the transfer window reopens in January.

Parkinson had not particularly planned on any last-minute action but the stomach bug which has swept through his squad in recent days could force a rethink.

He admitted that “five or six” players had been affected in the run-up to Tuesday’s frustrating home draw with rock-bottom Notts County. Centre half Matt Taylor had to be sent home before the game because he was in such a bad way.

With no FA Cup involvement, City have a 13-day break between games after the trip to Oldham on Sunday. But the traditionally hectic Christmas holiday schedule is looming at the end of next month and Parkinson is wary about being left short of numbers.

He discussed the situation with the two City chairmen yesterday and is considering his resources.

Parkinson said: “I went in (to the training ground) on Monday morning, thinking we’ve got a great squad.

“Then what’s happened just shows that if you get a bit of illness you do need that cover, especially through this busy period that will be coming up.

“We’re just having a think about a few things and if someone comes up, we may or may not have a go for them.”

City’s players are currently being kept away from Apperley Bridge as a precaution to make sure there are no lingering germs ahead of the Oldham game.

Today was a planned day off but they were told not to report in yesterday as the changing areas at the training ground were being given a thorough clean.

Parkinson said: “We’re going to shut the place down and get the training ground completely sterilised. The cleaners are going in just in case there are any bugs around.

“We’re keeping everybody at home and rested up so hopefully by tomorrow they are all ready to go.”

Meanwhile, Parkinson has reassured Jason Kennedy that he was “very unlucky” to be subbed at half-time on Tuesday.

Kennedy was the late goal hero at MK Dons but then found himself benched at the break as the City chief brought back Nathan Doyle.

Parkinson said: “It was harsh on Jason but I felt we needed Doyley’s calmness on the ball.

He also had that freshness because he hadn’t played on Saturday. But Jason was very unlucky to come off and I have to stress that.

“It’s always difficult (to take a player off at half-time) because you don’t want it to be one of those situations that can affect him mentally.

“Jason was outstanding on Saturday but I just felt I had to make the call for the balance of the game.

“I was concerned at half-time because of all the games when we need a response, this might be the hardest of them all. But the lads deserved a lot of credit.”