OXFORD United fear Andy Whing and Jon-Paul Pittman could be ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering potentially serious injuries last weekend.

Results on scans should be known today, although both will have to see a specialist before discovering how long they will take to recover.

Whing appears to be facing the longer lay-off after damaging a knee and ankle when falling heavily in Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Accrington Stanley.

The worst case scenario puts him out for six months, while even the best case is likely to keep the versatile 28-year-old on the sidelines for six weeks.

Pittman, who dislocated his right shoulder, will be out for at least a month, but if an operation is needed, it would take four months to recover – giving the striker little time to return before the end of the campaign.

It is the latest in a succession of injuries which have affected the squad this season.

U’s boss Chris Wilder admitted all he could do was shrug off the latest setback and carry on.

“I can’t do anything about it,” he said. “As I’ve said all along to be successful you need to have a bounce of the ball and you need to keep your main players fit and healthy.

“We’re not running with a squad of 28 or 29 players, we’ve always had 22 or 23.

“But we’ve just got to take it on the chin, dig in and get through this little period to see where we are in January in terms of how long these guys are out injured for.

“I’m desperately disappointed for JP because he’s worked hard to get himself an opportunity and then he’s taken it.

“Whingy was getting back into a rhythm of playing regular football and he was getting better by the week.”

There is better news on top scorer Tom Craddock, who could return in time for the trip to Plymouth in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.