SHAKERS defender Danny Swailes looks certain to miss the final three games of the season after suffering knee ligament damage at the weekend.

The big Bolton-born centre back didn't take to the field for the second half of the Shakers' match at Yeovil on Saturday after pulling up just before the break.

And his presence was certainly missed as a 1-0 interval lead turned into a disappointing 2-1 defeat.

It's a big blow to manager Graham Barrow who was hoping to end the season on a high after pulling the club clear of relegation danger in recent months.

With influential on-loan defender Dave Challinor now back at Stockport and teenager Jon Cartledge suffering something of a baptism of fire in his first two league starts, Swailes' absence demonstrates just how thin the club's defensive resources are.

It's timely, then, that the versatile Lee Unsworth is getting back to full fitness after knee problems of his own, and he could be called upon to go straight back into first team action when Bristol Rovers visit Gigg Lane on Saturday.

Swailes went for a scan yesterday afternoon and physio Lee Nobes expects the results this morning, but first impressions are that it won't be as serious a problem as it might have been.

"When I saw him after the game I was concerned that he might miss some of next season," said Barrow.

"Some ligament injuries can put a player out for a good number of months but fortunately the signs are good.

"We're keeping our fingers crossed for him but sometimes scans can show up damage that you didn't know was there.

"Hopefully, he'll be okay and can use all the summer to get back to full fitness."

Barrow revealed that a number of his first team performers have been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks.

Neither Dave Flitcroft and Gareth Seddon are 100 per cent fit at the minute and the manager paid tribute to their attitude.

"It was like Emergency Ward Ten when we came in yesterday," he explained.

"But you can't fault lads for going out and playing through injuries.

"Gareth had no pain on Friday but after playing 45 minutes and going in for 15 minutes at half time his leg stiffens up.

"Danny was even prepared to go out and give it a go for the second half on Saturday, but we couldn't allow that, you have to think of the future."

Youngster Cartledge was at fault for the Glovers' equalising goal on Saturday and it would appear that his forced inclusion may have been a leap too far for him at this moment.

After being given a torrid time by Jon Newby and Liam George at York last Tuesday, he is discovering just what a big jump in standard first team soccer is.

"Jon has pace and is okay if play is coming straight at him, say marking a big man, but he is being caught out by movement.

"He is having to learn the game very quickly and some of the things he needs to pick up on are the basics of centre half play.

"In a sweeper system he's got license to be tighter to his man and that's what he should have done, it's disappointing.

"But I saw things on Saturday that told me a few things for next season.

"Colin Woodthorpe and Matt Barrass were outstanding, as was Dave Nugent.

"I thought Dave was a thorn in their side for long spells in the game and he's done really well in recent matches."

Barrow also reckoned the fourth official over-reacted when he sent him from the dug-out in the second half following a heated exchange.

"It's disappointing. I just told the linesman that I thought we should have had a foul," he said.