Josh Cullen underwent keyhole surgery‎ on dislocated shoulder on Thursday, and will be sidelined for the next 10-12 weeks.

He will then need to build up his fitness, and regain his match sharpness with some outings for the Under-23s.

Realistically, it will be March before he is ready for a first team return – warranted he is not recalled by West Ham in January.

Igor Vetokele will have an MRI scan on Friday to determine the extent of his injury. On the night, his shoulder dislocation looked worse than Cullen’s, he was whisked off to hospital, whereas Cullen came out to acknowledge the fans after the game with his arm in a sling.

Here is what Lee Bowyer had to say about the. Injuries:

‎”Josh needs an operation, so he’s going to be maybe three or four months from what I hear.

‎”Igor we won’t know much until Friday because he hasn’t had his MRI scan yet.

“I’m guessing he is going to be similar because he had to go to hospital.

“Josh has done something to his bicep as well, The physio went a bit technical with me. He will be seeing a specialist in the next couple of days to go through stuff.

“The specialist might turn around and say it is only two months but the estimate at the moment is between three or four.”

Cullen has been a major part of Bowyer’s team, and will not be easy to replace. Darren Pratley is one possibility, but Krystian Bielik could be the player Bowyer turns to.

Patrick Bauer’s return is imminent – he is likely to play some part in the Checkatrade Trophy match with Swansea Under-21s.

If he suffers no reaction, Bauer should soon be available to resume his partnership with Jason Pearce, allowing Bielik to move forward into midfield.

Vetokele has been a more peripheral figure, and Nicky Ajose is likely to move up the pecking order.

Anfernee Dijksteel is likely to feature in the FA Cup game at Mansfield on Sunday, and long term injury victim, Billy Clarke, may also play some part in the match.

It is hoped Ben Reeves will be fit in time for the clash with Bristol Rovers at The Valley on 24 November.

With no league game for two weeks, it will be interesting to see what kind of team Bowyer puts out against Mansfield.

It may be stronger than it would have been if the Portsmouth game was going ahead as originally scheduled.‎