CITY are hoping to hang on to Calum Kavanagh for the Notts County game.

Kavanagh is in the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for their European Championship qualifier in San Marino on Friday.

The striker is due to miss Tuesday’s rearranged clash with Notts at Valley Parade as well as next weekend’s Yorkshire derby against Harrogate.

But Graham Alexander plans to contact Irish boss Jim Crawford to ask if Kavanagh can link up with the international side later in the week.

City are also without Jon Tomkinson for both matches as he joins up with the USA Olympic squad for their friendlies against Guinea and France.

“Some more players missing is just what we need,” sighed Alexander.

“Apart from the first 5-6 games I was here, we’ve never really been able to pick the same 11 for different reasons.

“I’m proud we’ve got two players going to represent their country and represent us on an international stage. But they are two players we could do with.

“We’re going to try and speak to the Irish camp about keeping Kav on Tuesday hopefully. I need to speak to the coach.

“I tried to do that with JT but he’s going there Monday. We have to try.

“There are still good players in that squad and players who can help us win a game of football on Tuesday.

“If Kav’s here, then great. If not, then we’ll have to go with other players but we can’t hide behind those two missing on Tuesday if we don’t do the job.”

Tomkinson’s absence has left City suddenly short of centre halves. Matty Platt is still to resume full training.

Daniel Oyegoke came off the bench yesterday as a late sub for Ciaran Kelly - his first appearance since returning to City after shoulder surgery.

The versatile Brentford loanee could well get the starting nod against Notts County.

Alexander said: “Ciaran was doing okay at that stage but we knew that we needed him again on Tuesday. We also wanted Dan to get some minutes before Tuesday.

“That was more looking after one player and preparing another for the next game because obviously the result had gone by that point.

“We have to look at it closely because we’re missing Platty, Sam Stubbs, Ash Taylor and JT. It’s not getting any easier but we’ll have to find a way.”