Shrewsbury Town were today rocked by the news that key defender Reuben Hazell faces several months on the sidelines.

The 32-year-old suffered damage to his knee ligaments in the closing stages of Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Torquay.

And, while the full extent of the injury will not be confirmed until another assessment after the swelling has gone, the early prognosis is bleak amid fears he could miss most – if not all – of the rest of the season.

“It doesn’t look good,” boss Graham Turner admitted today. “It looks like it’s going to be several months.

“Reuben is an experienced player and it’s a bitter blow, especially when the team is going well.”

Hazell’s injury came after a petulant kick from Torquay forward Rene Howe in injury time which earned the striker a second yellow card.

One small chink of light for Turner comes with the news that Shane Cansdell-Sherriff and Ian Sharps are both closing in on a return from their own injuries.

Aussie ace Cansdell-Sherriff was due to be back in training today with captain Ian Sharps hoping to follow suit tomorrow.

Should that go to plan, it would avert a defensive crisis for Friday’s trip to Southend and ensure the Town boss doesn’t look for loan reinforcements at this stage.

“We have got flexibility in that the two young lads (Connor Goldson and Jermaine Grandison) who have performed well and can either play at right-back or centre-half, and Shane can go at centre-half or left-back.

“What we can’t afford is any more injuries.”

Turner could face selection worries over a different sort next week.

Tom Bradshaw will miss the home game with Barnet on Saturday week after being named in the Welsh under 21 squad for their home UEFA qualifiers against Montenegro and the Czech Republic.

And, while there is no confirmation he will miss a game at this stage, in-form James Collins has been named in the 16-man Republic of Ireland under 21 squad for their qualifier in Liechtenstein on Tuesday, October 11.

By JAMES GARRISON