Nigel Pearson has confirmed a defender, midfielder and centre forward have been struggling with a flu-like illness this week but admitted it's too early to make a call on their availability.
With Tomas Kalas and Kal Naismith ruled out with injury, the City manager admitted he may look towards the Under-21s to plug a gap, particularly in defence with options limited. A training video posted online showed young defenders Joe Low, Raphael Araoye and Jamie Knight-Lebel working alongside the senior squad this week alongside midfielder Omar Taylor-Clarke.
Zak Vyner and Rob Atkinson were both filmed in training and considering City's lack of defensive options across the middle, it could be assumed Timm Klose or George Tanner is one of the players struggling - although, to reiterate, that has not been confirmed.
Pearson admitted the three players were around the High Performance Centre on Thursday but didn't complete a full training session. Speaking ahead of Saturday's game with Swansea, he said: "The three players who have been ill this week have been back in today and done some training but it's too early to make a call on them so we'll see how it looks.
"I won't say (who they are) because we talk about injuries but we've had players who are starters for us who have not trained because they've been ill. There seems to be quite a lot of flu-like symptoms."
When pressed whether that leaves a particular area of the squad light, he added: "Yes, one of the areas of the team...
"We've had a defender out this week, a midfield player and a forward player this week. So there you go, it covers every department and makes us short in one area in particular. Which obviously would be the defence."
If Pearson is forced to call upon one of his youth players, it's likely to be either Low or Araoye. The former has captained the Under-21 side this season to the top of the table with a string of impressive and consistent performances.
He also has played the majority of matches in the heart of the back three while Araoye featured in pre-season in games against Exeter and Bournemouth before moving back with the youth side. He can play either in the middle but usually on the left side of the back three.
Cam Pring may also remain an option having featured in the back three last season but Pearson revealed earlier in the season that he sees the defender as more of a left wing-back going forward.
Pearson also provided further detail on Naismith and Kalas' injuries. Naismith's initial diagnosis was around 10 days after hobbling off with a calf injury against Coventry on October 4.
The City manager refused to put a timeline on his recovery and admitted they will have to remain patient. When asked if they've missed Naismith's presence in the side, Pearson responded: "The answer to that is yes and the fact you've asked the question would probably reflect that answer too.
"Sometimes you don't realise how much you miss players until they're not there. I think that's the sign of a good player.
"Everything he does, he's a very good organiser and motivator too so we've undoubtedly missed his presence in the team but he's still with us and he's still a very important character around the dressing room and the training ground.
"I just feel for him because what looked like a relatively straightforward injury to deal with he's struggling to really make the steps forwards and that's a frustration for him and us.
"It's not necessarily a severe one but he's struggling with the amount of load we can put through it. You can't argue with the body's reaction so we're going to have to be patient.
"I honestly give you an answer to that (his timeline). That's not me avoiding it, it's just I can't give you an answer that's honest so I won't bother trying to."
In reference to Kalas, Pearson confirmed the central defender will be out of action for "a couple of weeks" with a calf problem. It's another set-back for both player and manager after he finally made his return to action earlier this month after seven months on the sidelines with groin and knee trouble.
"Tomas has had a very frustrating time," Pearson added. "He's had a calf injury but we don't think it will be something to keep him out for long.
"He'll also have to be mindful that he's been out for quite a while now with an injury which was some disruption to the calf injury with the scarring from the operation so I can't really give you too much detail on that but we will have to be - not overly careful because Tomas is desperate to get back and play.
"Hopefully, we'll get him back in the next couple of weeks maybe."
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