Midfielder Cole Skuse is facing “three or four months” on the sidelines as he recovers from the knee surgery he underwent earlier in the week.

The 34-year-old picked up the injury in training just prior to the Cambridge United friendly and had what was expected to be a minor operation on Monday.

However, once the issue was looked at the injury was more significant and the veteran is now facing a longer than anticipated spell out.

“About three or four months,” manager Paul Lambert said when asked how long he expected Skuse to be out of action.

“So he’ll be out for that length of time and that’s a blow because that was just a slip on the grass.

“When you go from different surfaces on the training ground that can happen. We lost Cole due to a purely accidental slip on the grass, and that’s an absolute blow that one.”

Regarding, Downes's injury, which he said on Tuesday would keep him out for two or three months, he added: "It's his medial ligament that has been hurt a little bit.

"Hopefully, he's a quick healer, and hopefully, he can come back as quick as he can.

"He's doing alright, I spoke to him the other day on the phone, so he's keeping his leg up in a brace I guess, but he's doing alright, he's doing okay."

Does he feel he has enough cover in midfield with Skuse out and Downes sidelined for three months with a knee injury?

“We don’t know” he admitted. “Emyr [Huws] is still pushing everybody to get in. I know Judgey [Alan Judge] can play there as well, so we’ve still got a few numbers in there.

“Gibbo [Liam Gibbs] did really well the other night, Brett [McGavin] did really well the other night, I don’t want to put pressure on those kids at all, but we have to wait and see. Hopefully we’ll have no more injuries that’s for sure.”

Lambert had planned to send McGavin out on loan to gain first-team experience but says he may now look to hold on to the 20-year-old as cover.

“I don’t know," he said when asked whether that was the case. "With the number of games we’ve got, as I’ve said before we’re down to the three [that have been starting, Andre Dozzell, Jon Nolan and Teddy Bishop], Emyr's four, Judgey can do the role, Brett did really well with Gibbo, he did really well too, but they’re kids, they’re young kids.

“For them to sustain it game after game after game is hard, but the two of them the other night showed me that they can play the game.

“Not that I needed convincing because I knew they could do it [in individual matches], it’s the consistency game after game after game. We’ll have to look at that.”

Photo: ITFC

belgablue added 09:53 - Oct 9 More players injured than available 4 weeks into the season is quite impressive even by our standards.
2

rugbytomc added 09:54 - Oct 9 Gutted for Skuse and the team. His calmness on the ball and guidance of players around him is invaluable. But I am certain we are not short of central midfielders even with him and Downes out!
1

d77sgw added 10:36 - Oct 9 Not bothered if I'm honest - I would rather see every one of our starting three, Hughes and Judge in the the midfield ahead of him.
4

ChrisFelix added 10:38 - Oct 9 Although i feel for the player, he being missing is not going to keep me awake at night.
3

BlueandTruesince82 added 10:58 - Oct 9 Not a disatser but Skuse does offer protection for the back 4 where needed. Also helpfull option to come on and see out games. No longer a starting 11 player though
1

PortmanTerrorist added 11:22 - Oct 9 So many wanted to see the back of Chambers and Skuse, and it is now happening by default. Is it a coincidence that Andre has found his feet this season without Skuse in there. I really have no idea, but this is a midfield that many of us wanted to see and so far they have not let us down. I would say that every week one of them is a little under par, maybe all 3 last week, but they are delivering and I genuinely believe can get much better if we continue to trust them in there....with Hughes breathing down their necks too. Scoring Midfielders....don't tell Skuse

4

rugbytomc added 12:23 - Oct 9 Hughes hasn't played this season has he? Injured or just not selected? A Promising youngster but disrespectful to Skuse to suggest he's better. Skuse often gets used in the wrong role but he just rolls his sleeves up and gets on with it. He's not a Dozzell or a Bishop - but Downes wouldn't have developed the way he has without Skuse. I hope he's back soon to provide options and competition and to be the player we need in certain games. Get off his back - Jonathon Douglas he is not!

3

Suffolkboy added 12:44 - Oct 9 So many assets and so much to offer to ITFC and all around him; MM knew what character he'd bring ,and what footballing intelligence .This is a pity and we must wish him the best in terms of total recovery ASAP ! Thankfully he's not been one to malinger or suffer regular injury absence , I hope that remains so ! COYB
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ronnyd added 18:23 - Oct 9 Who is this Hughes fella that posters keep on mentioning? We do have someone called Huws though.
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JDAndCoke added 22:13 - Oct 9 @Ronny - Not sure if someones on the wind up? Either they've spelt Huws wrong or are suggesting we play Tommy Hughes who I don't believe has ever even featured on the bench for the first team in a competitive game (possibly the EFL Cup last season)
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have_a_word_with_him added 22:20 - Oct 9 It's been a refreshing change to see a regular midfield without Skuse, and what a surprise we seem to be a bit more dynamic and positive from that position at long last.
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arc added 12:59 - Oct 10 McGavin at 20 is not a "young kid." Trust him, give him some playing time, and see what he can do. That's how youngsters make it–but grabbing chances when the older players get injured.
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therein61 added 18:01 - Oct 10 While i don't want to see players with long term injuries the midfield is benefitting from his absence we are more positive we work harder for each other(none of this finger pointing from someone who has never been able to keep up to speed in a match) and the results are there for all to see if he was fit he would be played(god knows why) and beggar up our so far decent run.

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