Striker Sam Parkin's season is all but over after he felt discomfort following his return to the reserves on Friday. The summer £450,000 signing from Swindon, who broke his ankle in November, played 45 minutes of the second string's 2-0 victory over West Ham at Needham Market.

Physio Dave Williams told the club site: "Sam has had a reaction, more than we would have expected.

"The ankle was sore virtually as soon as he walked off the pitch and over the weekend it was painful and stiff.

"He was down to play for the reserves this week, but that won't happen now and we will have to give him more time.

"The discomfort has probably come from him trying to do too much on it too soon, so we will have to give the ankle time to settle down.

"The fracture itself has healed well, but the problem now is the tendinitis around the back of the ankle which is very sore at the moment."

Better news is that midfielder Jimmy Juan is expected to return to training on Thursday and could be in contention for a start at Luton on Saturday. The Frenchman could come in for Ian Westlake who has been ruled out for the season with an ankle injury.

Skipper Jim Magilton missed training today with a foot problem but is expected to be fit enough to make the trip to Kenilworth Road.

Photo: Action Images

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