Scans have shown that Exeter City midfielder Scot Bennett didn’t suffer a serious injury against Bristol Rovers and will only be on the sidelines for a few weeks.
The worst was feared when the 21-year-old was stretchered off against Mark McGhee’s men six days ago but a relieved Paul Tisdale filled us in on the results of the scans.
"The scans proved to be positive,” the City boss said. "He hasn’t got any serious injury, just bad bruising and it will be sore for a number of weeks.
"Now it’s just a case of his pain threshold and what that allows him to do. So that is very good news.”
Bennett had been one of only three ever-presents until his departure from the St James Park pitch last Saturday and had undoubtedly cemented his place in the City line-up and Tisdale spoke about just how important the midfielder is to the way the Grecians set up.
"All players are very important but Scot is maybe more important because he brings a balance to some of the other players he plays alongside,” he said.
"He adds certain attributes to the team which maybe a replacement wouldn’t. He is a very important player for us and we are just grateful the injury isn’t any worse.”
With the exception of Bennett the injury situation is clearing up ahead of Saturday’s clash with Port Vale (3pm) with Guillem Bauza returning to action as a substitute on Tuesday night at Barnet, Alan Gow available for selection again and Liam Sercombe could also return.
"I think we are edging back to full fitness after a sticky month actually,” Tisdale said. "Alan Gow was missing on Tuesday but he should be in contention for Saturday and Liam Sercombe may just be fit for Saturday.
"And the players who were patched up and performed on Tuesday have come through that without making anything worse.
"So other than Scot Bennett we are more or less back to full fitness.”
The meeting between City and Port Vale at St James Park sees fourth place Exeter take on Micky Adams’ team who are one point and two places ahead of the Grecians. Fans can pay on the day for this League Two encounter.
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