Taylor said: "Ash is doubtful and tomorrow might be a bit too early. I know he'd be gutted to miss out but if we play him and it flares up we could lose him fox six matches.
He added: "It would be great to get away to a winning start but it wouldn't be all gloom and doom if we don't and while Ash is a very important to us, we've got other people who are more than capable."
The City boss is expected to pick Richie Appleby and Stuart Green in central midfield, but also has Dean Keates and Steve Melton to choose from.
With John Anderson, Andy Dawson, Jamie Forrester and Ryan Williams still out, Taylor will field the familiar side seen in pre-season.
Expected line-up (4-4-2): Fettis; Thelwell, Hinds, Joseph, Delaney; Price, Green, Appleby, Elliott; Allsopp, Burgess.
Subs: Musselwhite, Whittle, Keates, Melton, Webb.