Sammie Szmodics will be out for weeks, rather than months, after being stretchered off during Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw against Grimsby.

It was initially feared that Szmodics might have broken his leg in a similar place to where he sustained an injury at Crewe in March, but instead the 22-year-old attacking midfielder has been sidelined by ankle ligament damage.

The U’s leading scorer had only been on the pitch for six minutes, as a substitute, when the incident occurred at Blundell Park.

“Sammie’s is more like an ankle injury, which is good news in a way, because we thought he might have had a re-break at the bottom of his leg, so its weeks rather than months out,” revealed McGreal. “So it’s great news with the extent of it, although it’s still a huge blow.

“We gave him a breather at Grimsby, knowing all his injuries from last season. We wanted to bring him on (as a substitute) to have an effect.”

- Ryan Inniss interview

Szmodics begins his lay-off with tomorrow’s trip to Yeovil Town, although boss McGreal is hoping that defender Tom Eastman might be back in the squad after a tweaked hamstring.

Eastman sat out the draw at Grimsby, with McGreal also opting to go with a 4-4-2 formation, rather than a three-at-the-back system.

“We have been assessing Tom (Eastman) for the last 48 hours,” said McGreal.

“We have Cole (Kpekawa) who can fill in now, and Cameron (James) as well, so it’s food for thought this week (in terms of team formation).

“I will be picking the team as late as I can, a bit like on Tuesday.”

Striker Brandan Hanlan is nursing a groin injury, but should feature, while captain Tom Lapslie is available again after his one-match suspension.