LEADING scorer Billy Kee is set to hand Burton Albion a boost by returning to the squad for tomorrow's difficult trip to Swindon Town.

The 12-goal striker opened his account in the Brewers' 2-0 win over Swindon at the Pirelli Stadium in September – but he has been missing for the last four games with a niggling groin injury.

Manager Paul Peschi-solido says he is unsure whether or not to put Kee in from the start – that may hang on how the striker comes through his final training session before the game.

Peschisolido is mindful that Kee came straight back after previously recovering from the groin injury – and it flared up again.

Whether or not Kee starts, the manager's biggest conundrum is whether or not to go with the 4-1-2-3 formation he unveiled with some success last week against Oxford United – given that a key component of it, loan signing Lee Lucas, is not going to be available.

The Swansea 19-year-old looked accomplished as the man in front of the back four but was feeling a hamstring twinge by the end of the game and has returned to Swansea for treatment.

An initial scan has proved inconclusive and Lucas is due to have an ultra-sound scan today.

If the prognosis is good, Peschisolido hopes the player may be back within a fortnight.

Now he has to consider who else in his squad could take on the Lucas role – with Chris Palmer and Andres Gurrieri possibly in the frame.

Gurrieri played as one of the three front men last week – and that is a role Kee could take.

"Billy played in a three up front when he was at Torquay, so that could be one of my options," said Peschisolido.

"I'm not sure about him starting yet but he will be involved.

"As for the formation – well, I'd like to keep everyone guessing on that one for now.

"But it's a big blow to lose Lee.

"He was excellent against Oxford, so composed on the ball, and when he made his first tackle, he smashed the guy!

"He's not going to be flashy but he makes simple passes and finds people, so, hopefully, this injury won't be too bad."

The other conundrum for Peschisolido is at left-back, with Aaron Webster ruled out for at least six weeks with a hamstring tear.

Peschisolido made a late bid to get in a loan replacement before the transfer window closed but his favoured target was injured.

He will renew his search when the so-called "emergency" loan window opens next week.

There is already another experienced left-back at the club, in Danny Blanchett, but Blanchett has not impressed in his previous appearances and now seems a long way out of favour in the manager's eyes.

The likelihood is that the ever-willing Andy Corbett will be asked to deputise in the position again tomorrow.

The Brewers could hardly face a tougher task right now than Paolo de Canio's in-form Swindon side, who have lost only one of their last 16 League Two matches on their way to second in the table.

They hammered promotion rivals Southend United 4-1 away in their last match.

"Paolo has a good, strong squad down there and they will be full of confidence after battering their rivals," said Peschisolido.

"We will have to perform to our absolute best if we are to get anything at all from the game.

"But I wouldn't put anything past our lads.

"If we play anything like we did in the first 45 minutes against Oxford, we can give ourselves a chance."