NEWPORT County AFC boss Justin Edinburgh admits the club may have lost defender Andrew Hughes to a transfer if it hadn’t been for injury.

The 22-year old has been ruled out for the rest of the season and could face an entire year on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Stevenage.

The player was sent for a scan on Monday and the Exiles’ worst fears were realised.

“The MRI scan on Monday confirmed our suspicions that he suffered an ACL injury,” physio Adam Roche said. “He will shortly undergo surgery to repair his ruptured ligament, which will likely keep him sidelined for anywhere between 6 and 12 months due to the unpredictable nature of this type of injury."

It is a bitter blow for the Exiles with Robbie Willmott also ruled out for the remainder of the campaign – especially as Curtis Obeng has left the club to return to Swansea City – but Edinburgh admits Hughes’ future was uncertain anyway.

“First and foremost it’s a massive blow to us and the boy himself, because he’d been in superb form for us this season,” Edinburgh told the Argus.

“Knowing Andrew as I do, as both an athlete and with his character, I have absolutely no doubts he can make a full and speedy recovery and I’m sure he’ll defy the timeline we’ve put on it, just like Rene Howe did with a serious injury.

“This is a big challenge for Andrew, but he’ll be up to the task.

“He’s not a Michael Owen type where his game is all about pace, he’s the right age, and he can come back as strong as ever.”

However, Edinburgh admits a fully-fit Hughes wouldn’t be so certain to play a role for County, having shone in his 17 appearances this term.

“To be honest, Andrew has got back to the level that in my first season meant we had dozens of Football League scouts watching him,” he said.

“He was starting to generate quite a bit of interest with his performances for us in League Two and I was bracing myself to perhaps have some offers next month we’d have had to seriously look at.

“That’s not a silver lining of course, but I will be looking for Andrew to be as positive as possible over the coming months, because he’s important for us.”

Edinburgh confirmed that defender Curtis Obeng has returned to his parent club Swansea City as he seeks a permanent move away from the Liberty Stadium.

“We were never likely to be able to do anything permanently, in terms of the boys’ wages,” he explained.

“Curtis feels he has one or two options for a permanent move elsewhere, so he’s going back to Swansea so he can explore that. We wish him well.”