Swindon Town have suffered a blow with both Joe Tomlinson and Brandon Cooper out for the foreseeable future through injury.
Tomlinson felt his groin go during warm-ups prior to the win over Bradford City on Saturday, while Cooper damaged his ligaments in the same game.
And, at his pre-match press conference earlier today, Town Head Coach Ben Garner confirmed that both players will be out of action for a little while.
"Yeah, it’s not good news on Joe, it’s a fairly significant injury, unfortunately, it’ll be a period of weeks with him," Garner said.
"Also worse news with Brandon Cooper, who’s suffered a knee injury as well, which is a significant injury, possibly the season for him.
"So, disappointing on both fronts, more so for the players who have been fantastic, both of them when they walked in through the door. Great characters, really contributed to the team and were growing and developing, so on a personal level, I’m really disappointed for them.
"They’ll both come back stronger, they’ll both come through this as better people and I’m sure both will go on to have great careers in the game.
"It was actually in the first-half (that Cooper got injured). It was a tackle in the first-half and he got through the game which was incredible with the injury that he’s sustained, but he’s a great character like I say, a really really good player, I think he’s got a fantastic career ahead of him and we’re all really disappointed for him.
"Obviously, he’s naturally very disappointed himself, but as always we work very hard in conjunction with the parent clubs to rehab them, to do everything we can, to help them get back as quickly as possible. Hopefully by the end of the season, but, if not, we do our absolute best by them no matter what.
"He (Brandon Cooper) was called up for the (Wales) U21s squad for the upcoming internationals, so obviously, that'll be another disappointment for him, but, strong character, and as I say, will come back from this stronger and will come back from this in a better place I’m sure."
And Garner admitted that coversations are still ongoing with regards to whether Cooper and Tomlinson will return to their parent clubs, or carry out their rehab at The County Ground.
"We’re in conversation about that," Garner added.
"Louie Barry will go back to Aston Villa one day a week and will do everything else with us. Those conversations are ongoing now with Peterborough and Swansea."
