Lenell John-Lewis has seen his consultant to review the scan on his damaged knee that he picked up at the start of the Stoke City game.
The consultant confirmed an injury to anterior cruciate ligament as well as other damage to his knee. Lenny is booked in to have his operation next week and after that the hard work of rehab starts.
Shrewsbury Town physio Jordan Beech travelled with Lenny to see the consultant and he gave ShrewsWeb an updated.
“We saw the consultant on Thursday and he confirmed our fears that Lenny has got multiple ligament damage and we are looking at a 12 month rehab period”, said Jordan.
“Lenny is very motivated and looking to get back before that but it’s something we will not rush.
“It’s not good for Lenny but we will do all we can to get him back as quickly and a safely as possible.”
Injuries to players ACL sometimes signalled an end to a player’s career a few years back but now it is an injury where players tend to come back stronger from.
“A few years back people might have looked at it as something which might have been career threatening but with the surgery and rehab now players will get back, and get back playing”, said Jordan.
“It helps to have a mentality like Lenny has as well as his strong character.
During a long-term injury it is important to keep players motivated through the good times and the bad. Jordan is sure that the support network of the medical team, staff and players will help Lenny through it.
“It can be quite difficult to keep players motivated during the rehab but Lenny is very motivated”, said Jordan,
“Unfortunately he has been through this before but that can help to motivate him because he has come back from it.
“My job, with the help of the medical team, is to keep Lenny motivated through the long periods of rehab.
Once the operation is complete the rehab will start in earnest and being located at the training ground will be another positive.
“There will be times when it gets tough for Lenny but to be in and around the boys will help”, said Jordan.
“They are all there to help support and pick him up when needs be to help get him back to fitness.”
Town manager Sam Ricketts has said that Lenny will get all the help and support he needs from the club while he continues his rehab.
“Lenny was 99% sure in his own mind what he had done so he was just waiting for the confirmation on that”, said Sam.
“He has our full support as he now enters the road to recovery and everyone will be here to support him.
“The club will make sure we do what is necessary to ensure that he comes back and that he is right when he comes back.”