Bolton Wanderers midfielder Liam Bridcutt is facing several weeks out of action with another shoulder injury, manager Keith Hill has revealed.

Bridcutt was one of a number of players to join the Trotters late in the summer transfer window, making a significant impact for the club with his performances, even being handed the captain's armband by Hill earlier in the season.

The midfielder, who has featured just twice for Wanderers since fracturing his sternum and dislocating his shoulder in a goalless draw with Blackpool at the start of October, was absent from his side's 2-2 with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, and it seems as though it may be some time until he does return to the Wanderers lineup.

Explaining Bridcutt's absence on Saturday, Hill told The Bolton News: “It’s unfortunate, to be perfectly honest, especially with Liam, he had a fracture of his collarbone and we didn’t realise but there was a collision in the first week back in training and he did his other one, in a challenge with Thibaud (Verlinden).

“So the irony is that he was feeling pain in his chest and played the two games uncomfortably. Physically it was hurting and he’s a contact player so we need that in his game.

"He went for an MRI scan and now we know he has fractured his other one."

Bridcutt, who made the temporary move to Bolton from Nottingham Forest, is set to see his loan deal with the Trotters expire in January, meaning time could be running out for Wanderers to benefit from his presence in the side.

Another absentee from the draw with Wimbledon was Bridcutt's midfield partner Luke Murphy, although it seems the injury news is more positive with regards to the 30-year-old, as Hill added: “Luke is more of a minor injury, a re-occurrence of a previous injury he had, but we’re hoping to get him back quite quickly.”

The Verdict

This is a big blow for Bolton.

Bridcutt has been a massive presence for Wanderers since his arrival at the club, both in terms of his own ability on the ball, and the leadership he has shown in helping the club to slowly turn their form in the right direction.

That is something that looks as though it could be sorely missed, particularly if the club are unable to extend his loan from Forest into the second half of the campaign.

You also have to feel somewhat for Bridcutt here, given he had been struggling badly for game time at Forest after falling down the pecking order at The City Ground, and now that he is at a place where he is getting opportunities, he is being denied the chance to take them due to injury.