Jim Magilton has emerged as a major doubt for Saturday's League kick-off against Gillingham after a scan revealed a small tear in his thigh.

The Town skipper didn't miss a match last season but now fears he will be forced to sit out day one of the 2004/05 campaign.

Speaking to the Club website, Jim says "It's looking doubtful for Saturday at the moment.


                 Jim - injury worry

"The scan showed a small tear, it's nothing major but there is obviously the risk of making it worse.

"I'm not sure when it happened but it tightened up against Newcastle and then I had a reaction when I returned to training.

"We will see how it goes and what the boss thinks. I desperately want to be out there on Saturday but we have a lot of games at the start of the season and I don't want to risk making it a lot worse and end up on the sidelines for weeks."