Peter Taylor will consider another loan move for a right back – but not this week.

Zesh Rehman will be pressed into full-back duties again for Oxford’s visit to Valley Parade on Saturday.

But City’s defensive resources have been hit following the return of loan duo Reece Brown and Oliver Gill to Manchester United.

Luke Oliver will come in at centre half because Shane Duff, who has been out for a month, is still troubled by his Achilles.

And while Taylor is happy to play Rehman at right back again, he is concerned about the lack of specialist cover for that position.

Simon Ramsden, who went under the knife five days ago to repair cartilage in his hip, and Lewis Hunt are both sidelined until the new year. Brown’s departure means Rehman is the only defender who can comfortably take up the role.

The club captain helped City keep two clean sheets in his last league outings as a right back against Rotherham and Barnet but Taylor does not view him as a long-term solution.

He said: “Zesh has done well when he’s come in and I’m not saying he won’t do a good job again. But to be fair, Zesh will tell you that he sees himself as a centre half.

“We might need another right back because of Hunty and Rams being out for three months.

“I’m probably going to go with what we’ve got in the building this week and that means Zesh. But if the right one comes along, we’ll have another look at it.”

Both Rehman and Oliver were spared reserve-team duty last night to protect them for Saturday.

Injuries continue to hit City hard and midfield rookie Ryan Harrison has been forced to cut short his loan with Harrogate Railway. The winger suffered a stress fracture in his ankle and faces seven weeks out.

And Michael Flynn is preparing for another groin operation on Monday which will see him missing until January.

Taylor said: “I’m not convinced people realise how unhelpful our injuries have been. They see we’ve got 28 players in the squad but eight or nine of those can’t play at the moment.”

City are more hopeful on Lee Hendrie for Saturday’s game and Robbie Threlfall is close to a return from his back problem.