CITY'S injury jinx has stuck again with news that Sean Scannell has been ruled out for at least three months with a stress fracture in his back.

The winger will visit a spinal specialist next week to reveal the full extent of the injury, which is likely to keep him sidelined until February.

Scannell was one of the club's major summer signings when he joined from Huddersfield Town but has not featured since early October when he was sent off late in the defeat to Sunderland.

It is the latest blow to David Hopkin, whose squad has been depleted by injuries for much of the campaign.

Ben Wilson (knee), Joe Riley (quad), Luca Colville (knee) and Alex Jones (hamstring) are expected to return to full training within the next two weeks.

Kelvin Mellor, who suffered a broken toe during City’s defeat to Rochdale, will be back in contention before the end of this month.

Cameron Hawkes (knee), Jake Reeves (pelvis) and Curtis Peters (foot) remain sidelined.

The only good news this week was the return of midfielders Jim O’Brien and Danny Devine to full training alongside striker Tom Clare.