STRIKER Chris Simm is facing the prospect of being sidelined for Chester’s weekend home clash against Ashton United in the FA Trophy.
The 27-year-old forward, who has scored five goals for the Blues so far this term, is nursing a broken wrist after a fall on wooden decking in his back garden.
Simm revealed he has arranged to see a specialist tomorrow to establish the extent of the injury, but he has casts on both of his wrists as a precautionary measure.
“The accident happened on Monday night when I was playing with my youngster in the back garden, when I suddenly realised I might be late for training,” Simm said.
“I was chasing the little one and suddenly slipped on the decking and fell on my hand.
“I think the injury looks worse than what it actually is because I think I’ve just broken a little bone behind the knuckle.
“But I’ve arranged an appointment to see a specialist tomorrow who is good friends with the club physio at Blackpool Football Club.
“The specialist I’m planning to meet has worked with boxer Amir Khan when he’s been struggling with hand injuries.
“I won’t know the extent of the damage until I see the specialist tomorrow, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine and that I won’t miss too many matches.”
Simm, whose injury follows in the footsteps of both Ashley Williams and Michael Wilde being sidelined with broken collarbone injuries earlier this term, admitted he was bitterly disappointed about the injury which has added to Blues boss Neil Young’s problems off the field so far this term.
He added: “I’m hoping the specialist will tell me that I can still play with a cast on my wrist because I’ve known footballers to receive clearance to play on previous occasions.
“It’s early days at the moment, but I’m hoping if the specialist doesn’t think it’s too bad then I’ll be able to receive permission from the referee to play.
“But it’s touch and go whether I'll be able to play on Saturday.
“When I woke up yesterday morning I thought the wrist would probably keep me out for four or five weeks, but now I can’t see any reason why I can’t play with a cast on.”
Simm, who has forged an impressive partnership with Matty McNeil in the Chester line of attack, went on to reveal Blues boss Young’s reaction to the injury.
“When I told Neil about the accident and about the injury he just said ‘you’re kidding me’, said Simm. “Probably because I was the latest in a long line of injury victims for him so far this season.
“I can fully understand Neil’s reaction, but I’m also angry and frustrated because I’m likely to miss Saturday’s match after playing so well in recent weeks.
“The one consolation if I do miss out on Saturday is that it’s not a big league game and I’ll hopefully be back in the near future.”