Omer Riza is hoping to defy the medical experts and make a quicker than expected return to action at Shrewsbury Town.

Specialists have told Riza that he faces up to three months on the sidelines following Wednesday’s operation after he fractured a bone in his ankle at Dagenham last week.

But the striker is hoping he will be ready to return to action within two months.

“I can’t do any weight-bearing for a week but hopefully after that I can start the rehabilitation and be back in eight weeks,” said Riza.

“From past experience, I am quite a quick healer so hopefully that will repeat itself and I can be back as soon as possible.

“It’s just so disappointing because when I came on against Dagenham I thought if I could have a good 45 minutes, I would be in line to play against Chesterfield.

“Instead I have ended up on crutches and facing eight weeks out.”

The injury has come as a fresh setback to Riza, who turns 30 later this year, after he was subjected to a 15-month suspension from football following a contract dispute with Trabzonspor.

“To be honest, this is the icing on the cake of 20 months of hell,” said Riza.

“First I couldn’t play because of the ban and now it’s the injury.

“But it’s a bit easier to take when you’re injured because you know you can’t do anything about it.

“It was tougher when I was banned because I was fully fit and ready to go.

“All I can do is keep my chin up and look forward to when I’m back.”

Meanwhile, manager Paul Simpson is understood to remain keen on bringing in a right sided midfielder before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, but admitted he would be “surprised” if he was able to seal a deal.

Simpson, however, is able to continue to bring in loan signings beyond Tuesday.