Medium-pacer Warren McSkimming and all-rounder Sam Wells have added their names to the long list of broken-down Otago cricketers.
The pair join Black Caps Aaron Redmond (stomach) and Ian Butler (groin) and strike bowler James McMillan (abdominal) on the sideline and will not feature in Otago's Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts in Whangarei beginning on Saturday.
McSkimming picked up a calf strain in the 158-run loss to Canterbury in Queenstown last week and Wells, who has had a breakout summer with two five-wicket bags and a maiden 100, tweaked his hamstring.
There was some good news on the injury front, with Neil Wagner returning to the fold after missing the last round with back and hip complaints, and Nathan McCullum returning after a stint with the national side.
In the only other change, middle-order batsman Darren Broom replaces Leighton Morgan.
Broom was due to make his first-class debut against Canterbury but was replaced in the 12 by his older brother, Neil, who was dropped from the Black Caps test squad.
Darren Broom played a crucial innings for North Otago in its Hawke Cup win against Manawatu earlier this week instead.
The right-hander scored 133 in the second innings to help his side win by 159 runs.
While Otago is out of contention, skipper Craig Cumming said there was still plenty to play for.
"The team has worked hard all season, so a strong finish is important," he said in a statement.
"Second place in the Plunket Shield would be a reasonable achievement and a whole lot better than fourth."
Northern Districts leads with 44 points from Central Districts 32, Canterbury 28 and Otago 26.
