SHAKERS midfielder David Worrall faces an anxious wait for results of a scan on the ankle injury he picked up in Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat at Doncaster.

The 22-year-old winger hobbled off after 15 minutes at the Keepmoat Stadium following a collision with team-mate Steven Schumacher, when both players went in for a midfield challenge.

Worrall was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken ankle, but X-rays showed no fracture.

Fears remain, however, that he could still be suffering from ligament damage that would keep him on the sidelines for weeks.

Caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff said: “The good news is that there is no break, which we all feared after the match.

“We will have to wait and see what the results of the scan are and whether he has picked up any soft tissue damage, but hopefully it will bring more good news.”

When Worrall limped off, Bury were leading 1-0 following a fourth-minute opener from left-back Joe Skarz, but ex-Shaker Kyle Bennett equalised before the break and striker Chris Brown netted a second to keep Doncaster top of the table.

Whatever the results of the scan, Shirtliff is now looking to strengthen his side ahead of Saturday’s trip to Coventry, who, like Doncaster, are looking to bounce straight back up after being relegated from the Championship last season.

“We’ll see what happens now,” said Shirtliff.

“I’ve got 14 fit players at the minute so we’ll just have to wait and see. I’ve spoken to Brian (Fenton – Bury chairman) and there’s one or two things that might develop before the weekend.”

Worrall’s injury blow compounded a bad night for Bury and their stand-in manager, who also saw his captain, Schumacher, sent off for a second bookable offence.

The double dilemma could not have come at a worse time for Shirtliff, who will also be missing first-choice centre back Efe Sodje this weekend where he will be looking for a win to force his claim for the permanent job.

“We didn’t get a break all night to be fair, but sometimes these things happen,” said the former Sheffield Wednesday defender.

“It’s a shame for David because he was in good form, but we’ve got a couple of wide players, so that’s not too much of a problem.

“Schumacher and Sodje being suspended causes another problem, but it gives opportunities for other people to come in.”

The only bright point of an otherwise miserable night in South Yorkshire was the performance of new signing Craig Jones. The former TNS winger acquitted himself well after replacing Worrall.

“He looks as if he can skip by a full back and cross a ball – something we might need depending on how long David Worrall is out injured for,” said Shirtliff.

“His crosses caused Doncaster problems, particularly in the first half when we were in the ascendency at times.”