TOP scorer Harry McKirdy will be forced to sit out a large part of Swindon Town’s promotion push, Adver Sport understands.

The 18-goal striker is said to have picked up an injury – the nature of which is unknown – and several sources say it will sideline him as Town bid for a top-three finish in League Two.

McKirdy had been dealing with an ankle problem since rolling the joint while heading home in a 2-1 defeat against Salford City on February 26 – the same game in which Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry was taken out of action for a number of weeks with an ankle issue.

Head coach Ben Garner said McKirdy may have needed an injection in the ankle to help him continue playing, but a two-game suspension picked up in the following game away at Bradford City allowed the 24-year-old to rest and avoid the need for significant treatment.

After a 10-day break from competitive matches, McKirdy played – and scored the winner – against Sutton United on Tuesday, March 15 before featuring in every minute of Swindon’s 3-1 defeat at Crawley Town four days later.

He showed no signs of struggle at the People’s Pension Stadium and appeared to be of no concern to the medical staff who are already dealing with five other injured players.

McKirdy has already missed a couple of weeks this season with a thigh injury, too.

Midway through September, he missed out on facing former club Port Vale at the County Ground as well as the trip to Sixfields when Swindon took on Northampton Town.

McKirdy went on to be absent for Town’s 0-0 draw with Colchester United on Saturday, September 25.

After returning as a second-half substitute against Bristol Rovers on October 2, McKirdy netted the second of his 18 goals in all competitions and only missed three further games – all of which were as a result of suspension rather than injury.

Should Town make the play-offs, it is thought McKirdy would be back in time, although whether he would be fully fit is another matter.

Swindon’s record without the London-born forward is decent, winning three, drawing two, and losing two. Garner’s men scored seven goals in that time while conceding the same number.

The potentially devastating news comes days after the Town boss suggested he would have two of his three short-term injured players back for Swindon's trip to Rochdale on Saturday, April 2.