Midfielder Lee Evans is facing a number of weeks on the sidelines with the knee injury he suffered during last Friday’s 1-0 victory over Derby, but Town boss Kieran McKenna reports no new fitness problems, while full-back Kane Vincent-Young is expected to return to training tomorrow and striker Gassan Ahadme is continuing his recovery.

Evans underwent a scan earlier in the week with the injury almost certainly ending any lingering hopes he may have had of making the Wales World Cup squad.

“He’s got some damage to his medial ligament, not so serious that it will need surgery as it stands, but it’s going to be a period of weeks for his recovery,” McKenna said.

“He’ll be in a knee brace for a few weeks and then we’ll see how he’s recovering after that.

“A very important player for us, who is having a good season. Contributes a lot on and off the ball, and on set plays. We’ll be looking forward to having him back.

“But as we’ve shown the other night, the other boys in the squad are ready and have been working very hard behind the scenes to step up when their moment comes, and that’s what we’re going to have to do as a squad.”

McKenna reported no new injuries from Tuesday’s 3-2 win at Port Vale.

“No injuries, no issues from Tuesday night, so that’s a positive on a heavy pitch,” he added. “We had some cramps, which is unusual for us, which shows how heavy the pitch was, but no big injury news since then.”

Regarding Vincent-Young, who was absent from the squad which travelled to Vale Park, he added: “He’s hopefully going to join in training tomorrow, hasn’t worked with us yet. Had a very small issue in his calf, so hopefully he’ll train tomorrow and be available for selection.”

Ahadme, who injured his foot at Plymouth, also underwent a scan earlier in the week and is making progress.

“I don’t have a very strong update on that one,” McKenna said. “He’s shown some improvement in the bone recovery but not fully recovered yet, as would be expected.

“It’s continuing the process, letting the bone recover and heal and I think they’re happy with how it’s healing but there’s still some healing to do, so it’ll still be a couple of weeks yet before he’s back training on the grass in a meaningful way.”

Sone Aluko (knee) and Greg Leigh (compression fracture to the leg) remain sidelined.

Photo: Matchday Images

iaintaylorx added 15:28 - Oct 27 Big blow. Not uncommon for us to have a bad game when Evans had a bad game. Hope he makes a speedy recovery and time for Humphries to shine. He was outstanding the other night!! A rotation of him, Ball and ease in Camara is still more than good enough though!
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ghostofescobar added 15:40 - Oct 27 I'm very hopeful that, given a proper run of games, Ball will be a more than adequate replacement. He has been a bit hit and miss, but has never had a run of games. I'm predicting that Evans will have a job replacing Ball when he's back (please God let me be right!!)
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Bazza8564 added 15:53 - Oct 27 Well we do have a slightly lower key period coming in November so whilst Evans sounds like (and yes im guessing totally) Xmas, Adhame probably end November. Having said that we should have Pan Camara getting very close now and with Ball fit, Morsy returning and Cameron Humphreys having played so well Tuesday, Midfield is hardly falling apart. Injuries are always going to play a part but Aluko Leigh Evans and Adhame having had ligaments or fractures feels a bit tough. Maybe the Gods will be a bit kinder from now on in.....

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jas0999 added 16:03 - Oct 27 Evans is certainly a very important player for us. But, with Morsy back, Ball and Humphrey's we still look very strong. Then we have Camara as well.
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Cakeman added 16:08 - Oct 27 Unfortunate for Lee Evans but I would have though Dominic Ball, Cameron Humphreys and Pan Camara could share duties between them and that would be good for all.
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Len_Brennan added 16:18 - Oct 27 Not the worst news we could have gotten. With only 2 (very winnable) league games in November, we shouldn't miss him to the point of it costing us points; although Charlton won't be easy up next. Also, Morsy is back from suspension & should work very well alongside Ball or Humphries, despite them being different types of players. I feared I would be months, so if Evans is back for the tough games over December & January, we won't be doing too badly.

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RobITFC added 16:55 - Oct 27 Whereas we seem to have been unlucky with injuries, at least we have competent back up players. Other clubs with smaller squads won't so in the long run over a tough season we will get through this much better (I hope!)
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Saxonblue74 added 18:01 - Oct 27 This is all part and parcel of the McKenna masterplan! He's built a squad to deal with all eventualities. It also occurred to me Tuesday night when another poster mentioned Jon-Jules, we must have the fewest loan players that we've had for many years?
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Saxonblue74 added 18:17 - Oct 27 .....Jon - Jules our only loan player?
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BlueRuin69 added 18:47 - Oct 27 We do have other excellent midfielders to come in but Evans has been very good this season so far. Coyb
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midastouch added 19:18 - Oct 27 Get well soon Lee, hope to see you back fit and well asap as I'm sure you have a big part to play once fit again.
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ParisBlue added 22:05 - Oct 27 6 weeks would take us to 10th December and the Peterborough game. Just 3 league games in that time.
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TimmyH added 13:44 - Oct 28 You can GUARANTEE Lee gets injured every season, you just have to look as his history. Saying that seems to be more integral to the side this season than last and certainly has been breaking up the opponents play well...so the sooner back the better.
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