DEFENDER Aaron Hardy is the latest Town player to be hit by a groin injury.

As Jon Worthington prepares to fly to Munich for a consultation with top specialist Dr Ulrike Muschaweck, Hardy has had an injection of hydrocortisone into the problem area.

If that doesn’t settle the pain, the 21-year-old could face surgery.

It’s a setback for the right-back, who recently signed a contract extension to take him through to the end of the season.

He had been on a six-month deal.

The last of Hardy’s eight first-team outings this season was in the 3-0 defeat by Northampton at Sixfields on September 22.

Fellow defender Tom Clarke is back in full training after experiencing problems during his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction.

However he isn’t expected to feature in a Reserve match until December.

On the positive side, Town hope strikers Lucas Akins (ankle) and Luke Malcher (back) will be fit to play some part in tomorrow’s Reserve clash with Walsall at the Galpharm (7.00).

Both of the first-year professionals had work-outs on Saturday.