Cheltenham Town are set to be without defender Ryan Haynes for up to six months, according to a post on their official X account.
The 28-year-old is a new arrival at Whaddon Road, joining the club from Northampton Town in the summer. Haynes had started every match for The Robins this season but was forced off at halftime in the 2-1 defeat to Salford City last Saturday.
According to manager Michael Flynn on the club’s X account, the left back now faces up to six months on the sidelines with a knee injury. He said, “It’s not looking good. Ryan’s looking like he’ll be out for 4-6 months.”
The former Newport County boss went on to bemoan the luck his side are receiving currently, adding, “Again, it’s completely innocuous and it just seems to be the cards we are getting dealt at the minute.”
Haynes’ injury is a blow to Flynn as it leaves him desperately short of options on the left of defence as he looks to push his side up the League Two table.
It has been a poor start to the new season for Cheltenham and they find themselves languishing in 19th position having been relegated back to the basement division last term. Flynn, who was installed in the summer following Darrell Clarke’s departure for Barnsley, had added extensively to his squad in an attempt to challenge at the top of the division.
Goalkeeper Joe Day and utility man Scot Bennett have joined from Newport whilst the manager has also tapped into the non-league market with the capture of Ethan Archer from Torquay United.
Writer’s View
This is a big blow for Flynn and Cheltenham Town. Despite the huge influx of players over the summer, they still find themselves short of natural left-back cover and may be forced to deploy the versatile Bennett in the role.
Whether the manager will look into the free agent market to sure up the hole left by the injury to Haynes remains to be seen but it is a huge blow for the player having only just arrived at the club.
A primary school teacher turned writer, Tom has been part of The Real EFL for two years. He focuses on predictions, deep dives, and insightful content.
