SCOTT Spearing looks set to be out injured for the Basingstoke Bison for a lot longer than expected and, in the worst case scenario, his season may be over.

The forward, who returned to the Herd during the summer, suffered a knee injury in the Bracknell victory on October 10.

At first it was through it was meniscus, which meant he only needed a operation and a 10-day break.

However, the forward was still in pain from the injury and last week an MRI scan unfortunately revealed he has snapped his cruciate ligament.

An operation last Friday, cleaned up the inside of the knee and Spearing could be back skating in two months.

However, if he needs another operation to give him a new ligament, that would rule him out for the season.

Spearing said: “I am gutted this has happened and I will wait to see what the surgeon says. I was really looking forward to playing in Basingstoke this season and I will continue to be there on match nights helping the guys any way I can.”

Bison player/coach Steve Moria said: “The news on Scott is not good and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery. I will now start looking for a replacement for us.”

Better news for the Herd is that they hope to welcome back Kurt Reynolds and Chris Wiggins to their line-up as they entertain basement side Romford Raiders on Saturday (6.30pm).

Defenceman Reynolds has not played since breaking a finger in late October and hard-hitting forward Wiggins has missed the last fortnight due to a shoulder injury.

Basingstoke saw off the Essex Boys 12-4 when they were last in town and Moria said: “Last time we scored on them early and that is what we have to do again this weekend.”

On Sunday night (5.30pm), the Bison travel to Peterborough Phantoms in what is a league game and critical EP cup tie as the Herd try and book a semi-final place.

Moria said: “We have three cup games left and I think we have to win two of them at least, so this is a very important in that competition.”

The Phantoms could have a new import in their line-up for the game as Doug MacIver is rumoured to have signed for the team.