SWINDON Town defender Zeki Fryers has suffered a hamstring tear and is expected to be a long-term absentee from the squad, according to manager John Sheridan.

The 28-year-old went down early on against Doncaster Rovers last weekend with the club’s physio diagnosing a muscle injury prior to Fryers’ scan.

Sheridan said the scale of the injury will be known fully over the next few days, but for now, the Town boss is expecting to be without one of his eight centre-backs for some time.

Asked about the fitness and availability of his squad ahead of the tip to Charlton, Sheridan said: “Everyone is fit and available, apart from Grounds, Broadbent, Baudry and Fryers.

“We probably had 24 or 25 players training this morning, so we’ve got a strong squad available.

“Zeki went for a scan on his hamstring and he’s probably a long-term injury as well. He’s had the scan and he’s waiting for the results, but he’s got a tear in his hamstring.

“Over the next few days, we’ll know how serious the injury is.

“Kieron Freeman is fit and available. He’s trained all week, and he’s in the squad and available for selection.”