Iron manager Graham Alexander has revealed left-back Conor Townsend will miss at least a month of action with a groin injury.
Townsend missed last week's game against Millwall with the problem and, following a visit to a specialist, it's been revealed he will be out of action until at least the end of January."Conor went down to see a specialist on Wednesday and is in for an operation on his groin today (Thursday)," he told The Iron PlayerHD in his pre-match press conference ahead of the away game at Bradford.
"He will be missing for four-to-five weeks.
"It is something that's been rumbling on for a few months now but he's been able to manage it up until this point.
"I think for his benefit he needs to have it done (the operation) because it has been there in the background and I feel it's impinged on his qualities.
"We know he's a quality player for us but he hasn't really hit the heights he can in the last few games, and I believe it's down to that injury.
"We will get it sorted and he will come back as good as ever."
Harry Toffolo came in for Townsend at left-back last weekend, making his first appearance for two months after returning from injury himself.
Alexander also has the option of recalling Scott Laird, who is presently on loan at Walsall.
"We have a quality left-back in Toffs and won't do anything with Lairdy unless we need him to play," added Alexander.
"It would be unfair to bring back Lairdy just to have him sit on the bench. I don't think that's what he needs or what he wants.
"The reason why he went to Walsall was because he needs to play regular games, so I would find it difficult to bring him back to just sit on the bench.
"We know, if we ever brought him back, we have an excellent player, but we know Toffs is good enough to continue and we'll look to sort something out with Norwich regarding his loan (which expires in January)."
The boss reported no fresh injury worries ahead of the Boxing Day trip to the Coral Windows Stadium.
Defender David Mirfin is progressing well with his recovery from a foot injury sustained in November and the manager was estimating a mid-January return.
Midfielder Jamie Ness has also recovered from illness and is back training with the group.
See much more from Graham Alexander on The Iron PlayerHD in the build-up to the Bradford game.
Tweets by @SUFCOfficial