The midfielder serves a one-match ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 1-0 win over Leicester on Saturday.
Josh Wright could be handed a recall in Abdou's absence while winger Chris Taylor may have earned a start after climbing off the bench to hit the winner against the Foxes.
Darius Henderson is close to being fit after a hamstring injury but the seven-goal striker is not expected to be risked at The Amex.
Skipper Paul Robinson remains on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a pelvic problem, and young forward John Marquis is the only other absentee following a groin operation.
