TOWN'S top scorer Gary Taylor-Fletcher has been ruled out of action for at least a month - and his absence could stretch to six weeks.

In a major setback for boss Peter Jackson, the eight-goal midfielder has been diagnosed with damaged knee ligaments.

The 25-year-old ever-present suffered the injury in Saturday's 1-0 derby win at Bradford.

He immediately signalled his discomfort to the Town dug-out.

And after being checked out on the pitch by physio Lee Martin, he was replaced by Danny Schofield with 50 minutes on the clock.

The former Lincoln man had earlier set up Mark Hudson's match-winning goal.

And Jackson said: "Fletch has been in great form, not just in terms of scoring goals, but in creating them as well.

"We initially thought he'd just taken a bang on the joint.

"We brought him off as a precaution, which in the event was just as well, because had he continued, the injury could have been made even worse.

"When it failed to ease, he went to see a specialist yesterday.

"It won't need surgery, but Fletch will have to wear a brace on his knee until things settle down.

"The estimate is between four and six weeks out."