David Artell is hopeful that Nicky Hunt’s injury is not as bad as it looked at the time. The experienced defender had to be stretched off after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. 

Hunt over stretched when going into a sliding tackle with Wrexham’s forward Harris and he needed instant attention after suffering what looked like a dislocation of the knee. He left the ground on crutches and Artell says that the former Bolton man will be assessed over the next 48 hours. He remains a major doubt ahead of the opening game of the season.

Artell informed us on Hunt’s injury: “Hunty suffered a knee injury but how bad it is?, we are not sure at the moment. We are hoping that it is not as bad as it appeared. There is no major swelling and there is little pain so we are hopeful he has tweaked something rather than anything too serious.

“He will have the necessary checks over the next 48 hours and we will assess it from there. If the door closes for one, it only opens for others. Ryan (Wintle) went back there and we know he can play there. We have a few options, Perry, Billy Sass and we also have a lad in on trial, so there is no real panic. “