MICHAEL Doughty has remained at his London home this week after being struck down by illness.

The Adver’s 2018-19 Town Player of the Season hasn’t reported to training this week, and is therefore facing a race against time to be fit in time for Crewe’s visit to the County Ground on Saturday.

Doughty’s training absence is just one of several headaches Town boss Richie Wellens has this week – and that’s without mentioning Eoin Doyle’s return to parent club Bradford City.

Zeki Fryers, who was forced off the pitch through injury when the Bantams visited Wiltshire on Saturday, will be out for at least two weeks as will fellow centre back Mathieu Baudry.

Keshi Anderson is also expected to be out for at least five weeks after he played through the pain barrier against Port Vale.

Wellens confirmed: “Zeki (Fryers) will be at least a couple of weeks and Michael Doughty hasn’t trained all week because he has been ill.

“Keshi (Anderson) will be another five to six weeks until we get him back, and Mathieu (Baudry) will be another couple of weeks – it is what it is.”

Meanwhile, players’ body language is something the 39-year-old takes great pride in.

At the end of last season, Wellens pointed towards players’ reluctancy to greet fans after the club’s final game of the season during a lap of honour.

It’s now evident that players’ relationships with fans have improved.

“Supporters help that, I think players are getting a connection between themselves and the supporters,” said Wellens.

“Results and good performances prove that. Players’ body language this year has been spot on.”