Matt Paine is hoping that he will be able to return to Braintree Town action within the next four to six weeks.

The 26-year-old Iron midfielder has had a horror start to the season after suffering a knee injury late on in the opening Vanarama Conference Premier game of the season at Macclesfield.

Initially it was feared that the damage to Paine’s knee may require surgery and at least a nine-month lay-off, but he has been told this week that the prognosis may be far more encouraging.

He was due to have a full MRI scan on his knee yesterday to discover the full extent of the damage, but his doctor feels it will be sooner rather than later that he is able to return to duty for Braintree.

Paine said: “The specialist told me that he doesn’t think it is ligament damage and is a cartilage problem instead.

“That will be four to six weeks out, but if it had been ligament, you’re looking at surgery and then nine to ten months coming back so that’s good."

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