Craig Disley is stretchered off

Shrewsbury Town today got the news they feared – with midfielder Craig Disley ruled out for eight weeks with a broken ankle.

The former Bristol Rovers men has suffered a nightmare first season at the Prostar Stadium, with a knee problem ruling him out of the majority of the first half of the season.

And there was fresh heartbreak in last night’s 1-1 draw with Rotherham with Disley, who started on the bench, being stretchered off just after coming on as a 75th minute substitute when he got his foot caught in the stodgy Don Valley Stadium pitch.

The midfield dynamo went for an X-ray after returning to Shrewsbury, where the break was confirmed.

“We are booking him in to see a specialist and once we have the results from that we will know the long term implications,” said boss Paul Simpson.

“The X-rays revealed a break to the ankle and the early prognosis is that Craig will be missing for around eight weeks, but until the swelling has gone down we won’t know for sure.”

Meanwhile, Simpson was disappointed his side failed to force a victory last night.

Adam Le Fondre’s disputed early penalty gave Rotherham the lead, but Steve Leslie equalised on the stroke of half-time, before the visitors dominated the second period.

“I’m frustrated because, in the second half, we should have won it,” the Town boss added.

“In the first half, they had a bit more of the play but towards the end of it we were better and the second half we have battered them.

“Their goalkeeper (Andy Warrington) has made some unbelievable saves.”

In a further blow, defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff picked up his 10th booking of the season last night.

That triggers an automatic two-game ban, starting with the visit of promotion-chasing Bournemouth to the Prostar Stadium on Saturday.

• Town’s scheduled reserve game at Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon has been postponed.

By JAMES GARRISON