SWINDON Town could be without top scorer Michael Doughty for up to a month after the midfielder was struck down with a hamstring injury.
Doughty was forced to miss Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Grimsby Town in League Two, with manager Richie Wellens suffering a double injury blow before the game as goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux was also ruled out.
Vigouroux was due to undergo a scan on his shoulder complaint on Sunday, but Town have already received a full diagnosis on Doughty’s ailment.
Having initially feared the 26-year-old had damaged his anterior cruciate ligament, Town now know the issue is a less severe hamstring problem.
However, Wellens revealed it will still be enough to rule Doughty – who tops the Town scoring charts with 12 goals in 26 games this season – for up to four weeks.
“We thought Michael’s was a serious one. We actually thought it was his ACL, but fortunately the scan has come back and it’s not – it’s just his hamstring behind his knee,” said Wellens.
“He will be out for a minimum of a few weeks, probably four. It is not great as he has probably been one of our best players in the last four or five games.
“He is a goal threat, he is very composed on the ball and he can create chances, so he is a massive loss for us.
“It is a tough to lose those two because they have been doing great.”
Although Town are still awaiting a full analysis on Vigouroux’s injury, Wellens will have no qualms in fielding back-up keeper Luke McCormick between the sticks, as he did against Grimsby at the weekend.
“With Lawrence, it is his shoulder and for a goalkeeper, that it is not ideal. We’re not sure how bad it is. He went for a scan on Sunday, so we will know more,” said Wellens.
“I have never worried about Luke. He is a good lad and very experienced and has won promotion from this league. I am not worried about Luke at all.”
Left-back Matt Taylor and striker Ben House are further injury concerns for Wellens, although the Town boss hopes they will be able to play some part in training later this week.
However, the return to fitness of midfielder Toumani Diagouraga after a lengthy lay-off has provided Wellens with some positive news.
“Matt has done his calf and Ben has done his hamstring,” said Wellens.
“They are strains, so I am hoping that they can maybe start training again towards the latter end of the week.
“Toumani is coming back fit and he might feature in the coming weeks because he has had enough training now.”
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