Wycombe Wanderers will be without Joe Jacobson and Marcus Bean until at least January after the pair suffered injuries last week.

Jacobson aggravated an existing back injury while Bean damaged his ankle in the days leading up to Saturday’s match at AFC Wimbledon.

With an already limited squad manager Gareth Ainsworth conceded that the injuries could have a big effect on his side heading into the Christmas period as they cannot afford numerous signings.

He said: “It is a big blow for us and it is getting to the stage where to lose two of them is going to be tough as we are on a very small budget.

“We are still up against it financially and we can’t just go and get players in because people want to get money for them and we haven’t got that money to pay.

“We have to wheel and deal to get players in and hopefully we do not get too many more injuries because we have a tough Christmas period coming up.

“It is going to be huge for us if we lose two or three more players and it could be damaging with our squad size, I mean we had a spare place on the bench today.”

Bucks Free Press:

Joe Jacobson has aggravated an old back injury and will also be out until the New Year

While funds may be limited Ainsworth, who was at a Watford under-21s match last week, did claim that he would be interested in bringing a player in on loan if the right opportunity arises.

They would have to tick multiple boxes for the boss though both in playing and human terms as he is pleased with the current unity in the changing room.

“If the right players are available I will always look to bring them in to strengthen the side,” he explained.

“You have to be the right sort of player and character because it is a tight knit squad and from what I saw out there today (during the 1-1 draw with Wimbledon) there are not many places in the team.”

With Jacobson and Bean both being regular and experienced members of the starting line-up Ainsworth had to be imaginative with his selection on Saturday.

While Matt Bloomfield, a veteran of over 250 games for the Blues, slotted into the centre of midfield with little disruption the defence was a wholly separate issue.

Sido Jombati switched to Jacobson’s left-back position while Aaron Pierre and Anthony Stewart were partnered in the centre with Jason McCarthy shifting out the right.

It was a defence with an average age of just 23 but Ainsworth was delighted with how the players performed in an unfamiliar back-line.

“We signed Sido because he can play on either side of the defence and Jason McCarthy slotted in really well at right-back,” said Ainsworth.

“Aaron Pierre and Anthony Stewart looked like the partnership we wanted at the start of the season after a tough start for Anthony. He injured his medial ligament at the start of the season but is back now and played outstandingly today.”

Gozie Ugwu and Stephen McGinn are also out with knocks but are expected to only be short-term absentees.