Herd to be sidelined for weeks
Full-back Ben Herd is facing an intense battle to play a part in the remainder of Shrewsbury Town's push for promotion to League One. Full-back Ben Herd is facing an intense battle to play a part in the remainder of Shrewsbury Town's push for promotion to League One. Town physio Joe Hinnigan has revealed the ankle injury sustained by Herd in Tuesday's goalless draw with Barnet will leave the popular defender out for a "good few weeks". An immediate trip to the fracture clinic had shown no signs of a break but an MRI scan in Oswestry yesterday afternoon showed a bad sprain to the ankle which has still left Herd facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
There had been some uncertainty over the severity of Herd's injury, with an immediate trip to the fracture clinic showing no signs of a break.
While that was a positive outcome, an MRI scan in Oswestry yesterday afternoon has still left Herd facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"The MRI scan showed there was no fracture and it seems there is a really bad sprain to the ankle and the ligaments have been stretched," said Hinnigan.
"It looks like a third degree sprain and if Ben was to play again this season that would be a bonus for the lad.
"But you can never say never and we are hopeful for him. He is a durable lad and he has been a quick healer with any injuries he has had in the past."
This setback is likely to represent Herd's longest spell on the sidelines with previous problems with medial knee ligaments and growing pains keeping him out for only a month.
But the former Watford trainee, who manager Gary Peters confirmed would be offered a new contract in the next week, is retaining a positive outlook on the immediate future.
"It has obviously been a disappointing week, I was even more gutted because all my family and friends had been looking forward to watching me and I didn't even last ten minutes," said Herd.
"That was the first thing that hit me rather than the pain and I felt like I had let them down.
"But you can't do anything about it, you have to remain upbeat and if the doctors say it is going to be an eight week recovery I will always try and get back sooner."
By James Garrison
