'In best possible hands' - Fresh Kyle Hurst update amid bad injury to Doncaster Rovers winger

The wideman had been due to spend the second half of the campaign on loan at Scunthorpe United but was struck down by injury in a recent game against Altrincham. It was initially feared that Hurst, 23, had suffered an ACL injury but those concerns were thankfully allayed. Nevertheless, it means an uncertain time ahead for Hurst who's contract at Rovers expires this summer - with no extension option inserted into the deal.

Confirming the loan agreement had now come to an early end, McCann told the Free Press: "We initially thought he'd done his cruciate which would have been devastating for Kyle, but thankfully it's not that.

"We've managed to get a way around it but he's going to be out for probably a couple of months now. But he's in the best possible hands and he's back in our building. As soon as we found out we got him straight back in with us. Dave (Rennie, head of medical) got him scanned and got him straight back in with us so we'll get him back fit."

Scunthorpe's chief Andy Butler - a former Rovers defender and manager - spoke of his disappointment having only seen glimpses of Hurst during his stay in Lincolnshire. The winger made just five appearances for the Iron although Butler was clearly impressed. "I still think he's a good player and has shown glimpses of what he can bring," he said last week.

Hurst is one of four Rovers players whose contract expires this summer who does not have an option. The other three are goalkeeper Jake Oram, defender Jack Senior and striker Billy Sharp.