The other bad news came as Simon Whaley broke a toe in a freak incident in Spain which may well rule him out until the end of the season.
Simpson is now short of options across the midfield. Lewis Neal is already out meaning Pugh was filling the role out left. Davidson is close to a return and one of the two may end up playing the centre as they have done both earlier in the season.
Pavel Pergl has only played two matches in midfield but will have to continue. Sedgewick is likely to come into the team but most likely to play out wide with Joe Anyinsah also out for the season. Adam Nowland is also an option but has not played in the first team for over a year.
The only other option available is to play anarrow midfield with three attackers to get round the problem. It is thought that loan signings are also on the horizon.