NEWPORT County AFC winger Robbie Willmott looks set to miss the start of the season with a shoulder injury.

Willmott picked up the damage to the ligaments in his ACL joint during Tuesday's 3-3 draw against a Reading XI at Spytty Park.

Exiles assistant manager Jimmy Dack estimates that the player will be out for between two and four weeks but he could be sidelined for longer than that and is almost certain to miss the opening League Two clash at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday, August 3.

Mike Flynn, who was also withdrawn on Tuesday with a tight hamstring, should be back in time to face Stanley but will probably not be risked in County's final friendly against Aston Villa at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

Dack, who took charge of the side for last night's 2-0 friendly win at Pegasus Juniors in Hereford alongside coach Wayne Hatswell, said: "Robbie is out for two to four weeks and that is a blow for us because he's had a great pre-season.

"He's been excellent. The gaffer put a few questions to him on his fitness and he's come back looking really sharp so it's disappointing.

"It's not 100 per cent that he'll miss the first game but he is very doubtful."

Dack also said that right-back Ryan Jackson, who played for the full 90 minutes last night, is close to completing his move to Rodney Parade from Maccclesfield Town and triallist Ryan Doble is likely to feature against Aston Villa on Sunday.

"There are only minor details to sort out with Jacko," he said. "It's all been agreed but when agents get involved they do comlicate what should be a simple matter.

"I think the gaffer will probably have another look at Ryan against Villa," he added.

"He's playing with a bad ankle and I can see that he's trying his best but his attitude has been great and he's a really nice guy to have around so we'll make sure we have a proper look at him."