City were today assessing the severity of Kyel Reid’s groin injury as he faces a spell on the sidelines.

The wing wizard was forced to quit last night’s 0-0 draw at Rochdale after only 26 minutes.

And assistant boss Steve Parkin admitted the early diagnosis is not good.

He said: “Reidy was off balance on one leg and their lad caught him from the other side. I think he over-stretched and felt something go in his groin.

“Matty (Barrass, the City physio) will have a good look at him in the next couple of days but I think he will be struggling for a while.”

City missed that extra spark Reid can provide as they could not find a way through ten-man Dale, who had striker Bobby Grant sent off in the first half. Like Saturday against Port Vale, they bossed the match but failed to turn territorial superiority into a goal.

Parkin added: “It would have been a very interesting game if Reidy had been on the pitch when they were down to ten men. He’s the ideal player to take you up the pitch and maybe create something.

“We are disappointed because they were down to ten men but whether it was against ten or 11, we’ve had enough chances to win two games.

“We knew it would be a difficult game because they’ve picked up recently with a couple of really good results.

“But we started magnificently and looked sharp from minute one. Kyel had a great chance very early on and if that had gone in, it could have been so different.

“The discipline and outstanding play of the back players and Doyle, Atkinson and Ravenhill in midfield was as good as it gets at this level. The one part that’s not quite clicking at the moment is the play in the final third. We’ve not quite got that brightness or guile. But both teams in the last two games have been getting blocks in when, on another day, the ball could have flown in.”

Gary Jones missed out on facing his old club because of a back injury. Ricky Ravenhill stepped in as the only change from the weekend’s home defeat.

Once again, City did not get the reward they felt their performance justified.

Parkin said: “The players are full of confidence and the fans are right behind them, which is terrific.

“But we are a little disappointed to take only one point from the last two games having played so well.”