The combative midfielder said: "The ankle has swollen up quite a lot and I haven't been able to train. We'll see how things go but obviously I can't hope to play without training.
"I'm hopeful. I'm always hopeful and it will be a sickener if I had to sit Saturday out."
Manager Peter Taylor added: "Ash is a big doubt. Obviously, it would be a blow losing him because he adds such a lot of character to our side. If he's not about then the chance is there for others.
"We're not going to risk him and lose him for a long time. We need him fully fit."
Dean Keates is likely to get the nod to play the midfield anchorman role. Richard Hinds or Damien Delaney could also be moved from defence to midfield, but Taylor is unlikely to want to disrupt his back four. Keates will partner either Richie Appleby or Stuart Green, who missed last night's defeat to his old club Newcastle with a groin injury.
However, Taylor says that Green's injury is not serious, and he will be fit to play: "If last night had been a league game we might have taken a chance."
But John Anderson (foot), Andy Dawson (knee) and Jamie Forrester (foot) are all expected to sit out after missing most of the pre-season games. Ryan Williams will also be rested due to a virus.
Meanwhile, Taylor has explained his decision for changing practically the whole team in the second half last night: "Every time there was a challenge I was very nervous so in the end I decided to get the boys off. If we'd got any injuries it wouldn't have been worth it."