Hamstring injury will keep Scunthorpe United defender Callum Kennedy on the sidelines

FULL-back Callum Kennedy is today facing up to a spell on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring during Scunthorpe United’s heavy defeat at Yeovil Town.

The former Swindon Town defender suffered the injury during the closing stages of the 3-0 loss at Huish Park, with manager Brian Laws, after the match, describing it as ‘quite serious’.

Scunthorpe have not put a time scale on for how long Kennedy will be missing, though such injuries are usually unlikely to heal until after at least six weeks.

Whatever the absence, it’s a blow to the 24-year-old, who has finally established himself as a first-team regular in 2013, having previously been a bit-part player on the back of fracturing a toe during the opening week of the season.

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Kennedy’s injury justifies the Iron’s decision to recruit Eddie Nolan on non-contract terms a week ago.

Laws says the Irishman, who made a seven-minute cameo from the bench against the Glovers when Kennedy was withdrawn, could well have a vital part to play.

“Callum’s injury is one that is quite serious,” the United boss revealed.

“It looks like he's torn his hamstring so he could be out for a while.

“Thankfully we've got Eddie Nolan on our books.

“It just shows you how quickly things can turn.

“We knew one of our weaknesses was in the full-back area, where we haven't got a lot of cover.

That might prove to be a good signing for us.”

Kennedy was not the only player to be forced off through injury against Yeovil.

Striker Akpo Sodje was withdrawn early in the second half after being kicked on his ankle in an incident which resulted in Laws being sent to the stands when he protested at the fact his side were not awarded a free-kick.

Defender Tom Newey needed a pre-match fitness test simply to play at Huish Park after taking a knock on his foot in the days leading up to the game.

Both players will benefit from the fact United have no midweek game as they prepare to face Hartlepool United, one of their rivals in the battle to stay out of the bottom four.

“I'm hoping it's not going to be too damaging to us,” said Laws, when asked about Sodje’s injury.

“He wanted to try to go out for the first 10 minutes of the second half.

“There's no swelling there at the moment, but we're cautious because it was a nasty kick on his ankle.

“There's a lot of people carrying a few bits at the moment. Tom Newey - great credit to him - has been limping the last few days, but he went out there and did the best he possibly could.

“We need to nurse a few a wee bit this week before getting them back in the swing of things.”

Christian Ribeiro and Damien Mozika are also currently sidelined, and have been for more than a month, with hamstring injuries.