NEWPORT County AFC have suffered an injury hammer blow with captain Aaron Wildig out for the rest of the season with ruptured knee ligaments.
The midfielder suffered the injury in the 63rd minute of the 0-0 draw with Grimsby at Rodney Parade last Saturday.
The 32-year-old was in agony after making a rash challenge that also saw him yellow-carded and he was helped from the field.
Scans revealed bad news with Wildig, who signed a new one-year contract last summer, facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“It’s everything we hoped it wouldn’t be, and it’s a huge blow for us,” said head coach Nelson Jardim.
“It’s disappointing because Aaron is not just a top-quality player, but a leader both on and off the pitch for us.
“He’s been a pivotal figure for me, a true leader and a key part of our squad. His presence on the field, his experience, and his character — those are things we’ll miss immensely.
“It’s been frustrating few months with injuries which has been really tough to deal with. We’ve had limited spells when everyone has been fit, so there’s been a lot of change in the line-up week-to-week.
“We’ve got a strong squad, and while it’s tough losing Aaron, we have players capable of stepping up.
“We’ve got to keep going as a team because we’ve got a tough couple of weeks ahead of us with the busy schedule.”
Wildig has played in 17 games out of a possible 21 in all competitions and is the club's leading scorer in League Two with four.
The skipper has only missed one league fixture - the loss at Barrow because of a back issue - but will now watch on as the Exiles attempt to consolidate on a steady start under Jardim.
The head coach will badly miss his leader and it might well lead to owner Huw Jenkins making moves in the January transfer window.
County currently have Bryn Morris, Kai Whitmore and Cameron Antwi as the main options in the middle of the park with versatile full-backs Shane McLoughlin and Cameron Evans also able to play there.
Loanees Jamie Miley and Noah Mawene, from Newcastle and Preston, have been sidelined by injury in recent weeks.
Cardiff prospect Kieron Evans and Oliver Greaves are potential options in the ‘10’ role along with striker Luke Jephcott, who has been out in the cold.
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