Christopher Long has been ruled out of action for at least three months after being told he needs surgery to fix an ankle injury.

The striker, who has only managed 20 minutes of football this season due to a series of setbacks, pulled up in training last week.

Now he has been informed he has to go under the knife, and faces a battle to play at all this season.

Interim manager Lee Bell said: “Longy has been to a specialist and is going to need surgery, which means it’ll possibly be about three months for him.

“I’m really disappointed for him because he has done absolutely everything he can to get fit, he’s trained through pain.

“I’m gutted for him as a person, he’s worked his backside off and he’s absolutely distraught.”

Meanwhile, fellow forward Courtney Baker-Richardson has started out on the long road to recovery after having an operation on his hamstring.

And attacking midfielder Callum Ainley is hoping to play again in the New Year, after suffering a dislocated shoulder and ligament damage in September.

Bell added: “Courtney has had a successful operation and is now at the start of his recuperation, during which he will have to spend a lot of time off his feet.

“The physios are looking after him, there’s a plan in place for him, but it’s way in the future when we will see him again.

“I want him around the place, I’ve told him that we need him in the building and I want him to come to games because he is a brilliant character, a real leader. 

“Callum’s injury has healed, although he has to see somebody to make sure of that.

"It’s about building the strength up now and he’s working hard to get up to speed. It’ll be hopefully back in early January.”