KEITH Curle hopes to have at least two absentees available for Saturday’s FA Cup first round trip to Ipswich Town.

Latics were without 10 first team players for last weekend’s League Two clash with Swindon Town, which they lost 3-1.

Among those missing were forward Zak Dearnley and winger Jack Stobbs, who had both picked up a bug.

Jamie Bowden also had to be substituted in the second half after vomiting.

Curle hopes the trio will have recovered in time to be involved at Portman Road, for Latics’ first meeting with Ipswich since 1997.

But the head coach is not anticipating having anyone else available yet.

“I’m hoping the lads who were ill might be available,” said Curle, who is anticipating a slightly longer wait before being able to recall anyone else.

Experienced wide man Nicky Adams is among those closest to a return having been sidelined since limping out of the 4-0 defeat at Leyton Orient in September.

“We’re probably a week or so away (for anyone else),” continued Curle, who says he is working closely with his medical and conditioning staff to explore every avenue to avoid experiencing the same amount of absentees in the future.

“We’re being battered at the minute with everything,” he said. “But we’re trying to put as many things in place as we can, looking after the players, making sure they’re nutrition and diet and rehydration (is right).

“We’re making sure everything is covered. We just need to get the injured players back.

“It seems like they’re all three or four weeks away.

“We’re trying to get people back on the grass as fast as we can.”