Chelsea loanee injury diagnosis revealed amid blow to Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town loanee Leo Castledine has a minor stress fracture in his lower back which is going to rule him out for the foreseeable future - according to reports.
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The 19-year-old has not appeared for Town since the late 1-0 defeat against Charlton at The Valley at the end of January.
Town head coach Gareth Ainsworth said the youngster has been suffering from an 'overuse' injury which now turns out to be a stress fracture after further investigation.
Castledine arrived at Salop back in the summer when he secured a season-long loan move from Premier League club Chelsea, and he has played 26 times across all competitions during his time in Shropshire.
Shrewsbury have not given up on seeing the youngster in blue and amber again this season - there is a hope if he can recover in time, he might be able to play some part in their last few games of the campaign.
He is now back at Chelsea and undergoing further assessment.
Speaking in his press conference before Shrewsbury's game with Stevenage this weekend, Ainsworth said: "There's been reports in the paper about his back and things like that.
"I think it is maybe a little bit naughty without actual medical people releasing what the problem with Leo is.
"He was feeling some pain, and the overused word was used, these young players can pick up these stress injuries.
"Chelsea, we'll be looking at him, and they'll be working really close with our medical team, and the two are very in line with what they're thinking. I'm hoping to get Leo back at some stage for the campaign.
"If not, he's made a brilliant contribution this season, and he will go on to have a cracking career, I'm sure."
