Colchester United boss Matt Bloomfield says Matty Longstaff was 'in tears' after he suffered a serious knee injury in Colchester United's 1-0 victory at Gillingham on Boxing Day.
The Newcastle loanee was introduced in the 82nd minute but left the pitch on a stretcher deep into second half stoppage time.
"Matty looks like he's sustained a serious knee injury. The first question he said to me as we went through was 'did we win?' and that sums him up," Bloomfield said via the Essex County Gazette.
Bloomfield added: "He's the most dedicated, caring kid that you'll meet, in terms of his football. He's had his hamstring since we've been in and it looks like he's done his knee, so I'm absolutely gutted for him.
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"He's such a great kid - he's come on loan and he cares and I just feel really, really gutted for him. Matty's just gone to turn and something has gone in his knee. It was really innocuous in terms of the fact that there was no tackle; it was just him turning.
"I hope it's not as bad as first feared but sometimes, the worst ones are. He's in tears inside and I couldn't feel for him any more than I do right now."
Longstaff's loan spell at Colchester has been marred by injuries almost from the outset. He has played just nine times for the club across all competitions and has amassed just 79 minutes of league action since October prior to Boxing Day.
He first suffered a hamstring injury at the start of October which kept him sidelined for several weeks. But just 20 minutes into his return, Longstaff was forced to miss another two games after aggravating his hamstring.
The 22-year-old was making just his second league appearance in almost three months, but now looks set for a lengthy period on the sidelines.
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