Monday 7 February 2011 11:42, UK
Gareth Owen is set to discover the length of his absence after he fractured an ankle in Port Vale's 1-1 draw at Wycombe.
Defender Owen was forced off in the 23rd minute at Adams Park on Saturday and subsequently left Wycombe on crutches before travelling to hospital where an X-ray highlighted the fracture to his left ankle. The influential centre-half now has the area in plaster as a precaution before a specialist conducts a scan on Tuesday to fully assesses the damage done. Only then will Owen find out how long he faces on the sidelines and indeed whether he will be able to play again this season as Vale battle for promotion from League Two. The 28-year-old, who was wearing the captain's armband in the absence of injured Marc Richards and departed Tommy Fraser, also twisted his knee in the challenge and his potential long-term absence is a blow to the club's ambitions having started 26 of 28 league games this term. And the injury is likely to see manager Jim Gannon utilise the loan market for a replacement when it reopens on Tuesday. Fellow centre-back John McCombe (calf) missed out altogether on Saturday but his complaint is not thought to be a serious one.
