ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Steve Halford could be out for six weeks after sustaining a broken leg.

The centre half picked up what was initially thought to be a knock in the Reds' 4-0 win over Crawley Town and missed subsequent games against York City and Woking on Saturday.

But X-rays revealed the extent of the damage was much worse than first anticipated.

However, physio Ian Liversedge is optimistic that Halford can make a full and speedy recovery.

"He has fractured his fibula in his right leg, but it's quite a clean break and isn't a weight-bearing bone so it doesn't usually need to be put in plaster," he said.

"Hopefully he will be fit within the next month because he's already a week and a half into his recovery and it takes up to three weeks to heal.

"It will probably be another three weeks to toughen the bone up to play again, but we're hopeful that he will be back playing in early October.

"It's not a major fracture, it's just an unfortunate thing that can happen."

Liversedge is also working hard on trying to get central defender Robbie Williams back to fitness in time for Saturday's trip to Dagenham and Redbridge.

Williams was substituted at half-time in the weekend 0-0 draw at home to Woking with a groin strain, but the Reds' physio has his fingers crossed that he will be ready in time.

"He has a good chance of making it for Saturday but I will have to wait until the end of the week to make a decision," he said.

However, Stanley were boosted by news that midfielder Andy Procter doesn't need surgery to repair the cruciate knee ligament damage he sustained in pre-season.

Liversedge added: "He is just doing rehab at the moment because he needs to build the knee up again to get it ready to play.

"But hopefully in four to six weeks everything will be all right."

Meanwhile, manager John Coleman has already made moves to bolster his defence by taking Everton youngster Anthony Gerrard on loan, after Cambridge United left back Stuart Bimson's loan spell expired on Saturday.

The 18-year-old, who is the cousin of Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard, met up with the rest of the Stanley squad yesterday for training and is expected to sign a month-long loan deal ahead of Saturday's trip to Dagenham and Redbridge.

The Republic of Ireland Under 18 international has worked his way through the youth team ranks at Goodison Park and signed a senior contract in the summer.

Coleman, who is still looking to make a permanent swoop for a defender, also has the option of recalling centre back Jonathan Smith from his extended loan spell at Barrow.

Smith, who captained the Conference North side in the absence of injured skipper Graham Anthony, has agreed to continue his spell at Holker Street, along with Stanley midfielder Steve Flitcroft.

Youngsters Damien Hindle and Paul Carvill have also been offered loan deals.

Hindle made his debut for Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday and was voted man of the match, while former Preston youth team winger Carvill is likely to make his bow for UniBond First Division side Chorley in their game at Clitheroe tonight.