Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley has said Matt Fry could be back in action in six to eight weeks after a scan on his knee showed ligament damage.

Cowley said the club had been fortunate that they had been able to get Fry to see one of Europe’s top knee specialists and the diagnosis was as good as they could have hoped for given the severity of the injury he suffered against Tranmere.

Cowley said: “Matt had his MRI scan on Friday and we managed to get him in to see Andy Williams, who is probably the top knee specialist in Europe.

“We’ve been very lucky to get him in there so quickly and he has said that the lateral ligament has come away from the bone on the outside and that there is a small fracture on the inside of his knee.

“That was concerning when we first heard that, but Andy Williams has said there is no operation needed and that means Matt could be back in six to eight weeks.

“He said there was enough of the fibre attached to the bone for it not to need an operation so we’re pleased about that and Matt can now keep working with Steve Gracie in his rehabilitation.

“It’s very pleasing after the severity of the injury.

“We’ve watched it back and you can see how the knee bent under the impact. We feared the worst, but this news is positive.”

And there is also positive news for Charlie Strutton, who has now come through three outings for Braintree Town Reserves.

Cowley said the striker had progressed well and was now ready for a month’s loan spell with a step two or three side.