Striker Sam Parkin could be out for as many as four months after scans revealed he broke his ankle during last night's 3-0 defeat to Reading. The former Swindon man was replaced by Nicky Forster in the 18th minute.

Physio Dave Williams told the club site: "The ankle is broken and we will know more about where we go from here later this afternoon.

"The specialist, Mark Bowditch, wants to take another look at the scans and will then decide on the course of action.

"It could mean that Sam has an operation which would mean up to four months on the sidelines or he could set it in plaster and secure the joint, which would cut down the return date to perhaps two months.

"The danger with the plaster option is that any movement of the ankle while it's healing could cause the ankle to fracture again, while surgery would obviously fuse the joint and stabilise it.

"We will obviously be guided by the specialist and if he decides on surgery it will be well into the new year before Sam is back."

Town could look to sign a player on loan while the £450,000 summer signing is on the sidelines, although with Adam Proudlock already on a short-term deal, boss Joe Royle could stick with his current squad.

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