Shrewsbury Town captain Abu Ogogo requires knee surgery and ruled out for the season

The skipper was set to feature for Paul Hurst's side at Wembley in Sunday's Checkatrade Trophy final despite currently serving a four-match ban in League One.

But Ogogo – whose Montgomery Waters Meadow deal is up at the end of the season – picked up the injury in training on Sunday and will miss Town's League One promotion battle.

The midfielder was present for Monday's 3-2 win over Oxford, where he sported a leg brace. Scans have since revealed the extent of the damage.

Hurst said: "It's going to be a blow that we've got to contend with.

"It looks like his season could be over. I'm pretty certain it'll be the season.

"It's very unlucky. I really feel for him. It's frustrating it's happened in training, just a block tackle with Bryn Morris and you could tell he felt something.

"I noticed when Abs moved to the side of the pitch it's something serious. Unfortunately that's the case.

"Speaking with Skitty (physio Chris Skitt), medial injuries don't usually require surgery. It's looking like it is (this time). I feel for us as a club but ultimately I feel for Abs."

Ogogo has made 42 appearances for Town this season. He got sent off on his last outing, at Northampton. Club captain Mat Sadler is likely to lead Town out at Wembley on Sunday.

"He has been fortunate to play there (at Wembley) before with Dagenham, but still you don't want to miss games like that and the big games we have left," the boss added.

"We've got to respond, a lot was made of us not winning without him in the team, we've won two from three games with him missing. It's proved it can be done.

"As a team and group we've got to step up and cope without his absence.

"Of course he's got to train, and Abs doesn't train any other way, he hasn't done for many, many sessions we've had. It's part and parcel of football.

"If we took that kind of thought process (that he couldn't train) then he wouldn't have been fit for Wembley and there'd be no-one at Wembley as we'd all worry about crossing the road or getting in our car and driving. Life throws things at you and things happen.

"As always his misfortune will be someone else's game. He'll still want us to win and be successful not only on Sunday but also for the rest of the league season."

Hurst revealed he failed to hear back from Ogogo when the pair discussed a new Town contract before Christmas and is yet to see whether that situation has changed.

"I still want Abs here," Hurst said. "That's been up in the air for a long, long time. I haven't and wouldn't question his commitment but what I would say is that I spoke to him some time before Christmas about the potential of a new deal and nothing came back. At the time he obviously wasn't ready to sign.

"I'm not sure where that situation is now. Whether his thought process has changed at all but naturally we would like Abs at the football club. Whether we can agree anything similar to Junior and probably others, we'll see.

"If people are so naive to think we haven't tried to sort a deal then they probably are a little naive."

Winger Alex Rodman, who is struggling from back spasms, remains a doubt for the final alongside defender Toto Nsiala, who broke his cheekbone during Good Friday's defeat Rochdale.

The boss added: "I don't particularly know any more (on the others) – Rodders certainly not, Toto no."