Torres out of Imps tie

He left Rochdale on crutches last Saturday but a scan has revealed no ligament damage and no break.

But he has got severe bone bruising on an extra bone at the back of his ankle and it is unclear how long it will take to heal.

He has been put on a five-day course of pain-killers and his situation will be re-assesed after that.

He said: "I'm so disappointed. I have featured in all the games this season and it is going to be really hard missing out now at such a crucial stage of the season. I'm hoping it will be for only one week but I don't know.

"The pain killers are helping but I'm still in too much pain to play."

Two years ago Torres damaged ligaments in the same right angle and was out for three months, missing the run to the play-off semi-final.

And he is praying lightning won't strike twice.

He said: "My body is stronger now than it was then and it doesn't feel as bad this time. I couldn't bare to be out for three months again. That would just kill me. I'm hoping it'll be quick."

He felt pain when he was tackled from behind in the first 15 minutes but struggled through to half time.

He then consulted with the manager and the physio before deciding to come off.

He said: "The last time I did it I tried to play on but this time I wasn't taking any chances."

Boss Paul Lambert said: "We will just have to get on with it. When he's had injuries before he's been out for a long time, but we're hoping he's just going to miss one game.

"He is going to be a big miss for us. He makes things happen but on the positive side Gary Holt has trained all week after his virus and Matty Bloomfield was excellent last week.

"If Sergio's injury had occured last year I would have thought, Jesus the squad isn't big enough, but now it is."

Bloomfield is a slight doubt for tomorrow's trip to Sincil Bank though with a knock on his foot although it is not expected to keep him out of the proceedings.