Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill has confirmed that the decision to keep Joe Tomlinson on the field during their recent match against Accrington Stanley did not worsen the player’s hamstring injury. Tomlinson, 26, who joined Cheltenham from MK Dons this summer, sustained the injury late in the first half of the League Two encounter at the Wham Stadium two weeks ago.

Despite appearing in some discomfort, Tomlinson was not substituted at halftime but was eventually forced off early in the second half. Subsequent medical examinations revealed a severe hamstring injury, with the tendon detached from the bone. Following a scan, Tomlinson underwent surgery and is expected to be sidelined for approximately 12 weeks, meaning he will likely miss action until January at the earliest.

Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucester, Cotterill emphasized that there was no indication at the time of the halftime break that the player should not continue. He stated that Tomlinson did not aggravate the injury by playing in the second half and that the recovery period is consistent with typical timelines for this type of operation.

The injury represents a significant setback for Cheltenham, with Tomlinson having been a recent addition to the squad. The club will now look to manage without the winger through the coming months as he undergoes rehabilitation.