Christopher Long has not suffered a reoccurrence of the injury that kept him sidelined for most of last season.

That’s according to Manager Lee Bell, who says the striker will be missing for a couple of weeks after being substituted early in the friendly against Lincoln City at the weekend.

The boss also gave positive fitness updates about Elliott Nevitt (ankle), Courtney Baker-Richardson (groin), and Conor Thomas (calf).

Bell said: “He has sustained a slight strain to one of his ligaments in his ankle – it's nothing that will keep him out for a long time.

“The concern that everybody had – Chris, us, and the fans – was that it would be the same ankle problem that kept him out so long last season; we’re all going to be worried aren’t we?

“But the scan has shown that it’s nothing to do with the old injury, and the schedule we are looking at with him is two-to-four weeks.

“We won’t rush him back, we will do it right and look after him. He’s so important to us, the opposition worry about him and he’s a goal threat. He demands a lot from those around him and he has a lot of quality.”

He added: “Elliott will rejoin the group next week so that’s another positive, and Courtney – we have been managing a tight groin with him – is back with the group again now.

“Conor is also with the group now and is getting up to speed and hitting the numbers he needs to hit. Hopefully, we will see him involved at the weekend.  

“We are doing it right – if they are giving us indications of problems we are looking after them. It doesn’t mean they aren’t working hard off the pitch and in the gym.

“With a smaller squad we have to do things right. The sports scientists and physios have come up with a brilliant programme and we are following that.”