THEY have suddenly become the most precious cargo in the City dressing room.

Nothing can happen to Jack Shepherd and Cheick Diabate.

With Ciaran Kelly and Neill Byrne joining Aden Baldwin on the Valley Parade sidelines, the duo are the only centre halves standing.

It had been 304 days since Graham Alexander ditched the back four after a calamitous first half in full glare of the TV cameras at Notts County.

But the run of injuries in the one area twisted his arm to start with the different formation last night.

Seeing Shepherd and Diabate both emerged unscathed from an impressive evening’s work at Mansfield was as big a plus point as the overall team performance.

The young backline – two aged 23, the others 22 – ensured keeper coach Colin Doyle was only called upon to make one save on his return in goal.

Shepherd accepted the spotlight is focused on the men in the middle because of the absentees.

“Definitely, but we are professionals and we’ve got to thrive under those circumstances,” he said.

“We’ve got to deal with it and play well under the pressure.

“Given the opportunity, we’ve got to play well together, build up a good partnership and take it game by game.”

The Bristol Street Motors Trophy gave an early indication that the pair can do just fine.

Shepherd was responsible for three of the blocked shots that stifled the Stags. Diabate was a powerful presence alongside him – as substitute Will Evans found out when he slammed against the defender trying to break clear late on.

Shepherd added: “It’s good to get a clean sheet as a defender. The main priority is to defend and keep the ball out the net.

Neill Byrne is expected to be missing for another two weeksNeill Byrne is expected to be missing for another two weeks (Image: Tom Pearson)

“You’ve got to trust each other, bounce off each other and you can do well together.

“All the lads get on with each other on and off the pitch. Cheick is a great lad, so we’ve just got to work together whether it’s in a two, a three or whatever formation we’re playing.

“You’ve got to make the most of every minute in training and learn off each other. Everyone has got their own strengths and weaknesses.

“You learn about who you are playing with and what they are good and not so good at.

“It’s all about strengthening that partnership and you can only get better by playing with each other.

“We put in a good performance and we want to improve from that.”

Byrne missed his first City game and has been ruled out for another fortnight. Kelly’s situation faced further medical assessment today.

But there has been plenty of support for the two loanees who have stepped into the breach.

Shepherd said: “They are always encouraging but that goes for all the lads whether they are playing or not, injured or not in the squad.

“There are no people bringing us down. Everyone wants the best for the team and it’s a good atmosphere in the group.”

Wimbledon at Valley Parade will pose the bigger test at the weekend but the Barnsley man insists they will be ready.

“Every game is massive in this division so you can’t take anything for granted.

“Wimbledon are up there so we’ve got to do the same as last night, turn up ready, put in a good performance and hopefully we can get the three points.”

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