Chris Humphrey today made a New Year’s resolution five weeks early – fighting his way back into the Shrewsbury Town team at the start of 2009.The flying winger is facing the prospect of spending the rest of this calendar year on the sidelines after breaking his jaw in the goalless draw at Lincoln last weekend.

The injury sustained after a challenge from Imps defender Daniel Hone and means Humphrey will have to watch a crucial December from the sidelines.

But the former West Bromwich Albion youngster is determined to ensure his absence is as short as possible.

“The specialists have told me it will be six to eight weeks but if I feel right after five, I will be back banging on the manager’s door telling him I am ready,” he said.

“It has come at the worst possible time for me because I had played five or six games, was really and enjoying it and playing well.

“I was in a lot of pain in the second half at Lincoln but I wanted to keep going because the competition for places is so strong at the club. If you have an injury or suspension, there is always someone there ready to take your place.

“I have been down this week and it’s been really hard but I’m determined to come back strongly at the start of the New Year.”

Humphrey has admitted he has had to take a softly-softly approach to avoid the risk of requiring surgery.

“I know if I start doing things too soon and even little things like chewing too hard too early, I can end up in the operating theatre,” added the 21-year-old.

“I have only been able to eat things like mashed potato and soup since it happened and I’ve had to drink out of a straw.

“I’ve just got to be really careful of it and take the advice of the physios and specialists and hopefully I will be back soon.”

By James Garrison