BRAINTREE Town face an anxious wait to discover the extent of striker Don Cowan’s ankle injury.

Cowan, on loan from League One outfit Stevenage, limped off after just eight minutes of Iron’s 2-0 win at Southport.

The 23-year-old Irishman, who made his first start for Braintree at Haig Avenue after signing on a month’s loan, has gone back to Boro’ for treatment.

The former Shamrock Rovers forward will undergo a scan this week, amid fears that the injury could be related to the fractured ankle he suffered last season.

Braintree boss Alan Devonshire is monitoring the situation and hoping Cowan’s injury does not end his temporary spell at the Amlin Stadium prematurely.

Devonshire said: “Don might be struggling and we’re hoping he’ll be OK.

“He’s gone back to Stevenage for a scan, which he’ll be having this week. He broke his ankle ten months ago and it could be something related to that.

“If both parties want it there might be an opportunity to extend his loan, so that’s something we may look at.”

Meanwhile, Devonshire has revealed he allowed defender Adam Bailey-Dennis to leave as he could not guarantee him regular first-team football.

Bailey-Dennis, a member of Braintree’s 2010-11 promotion-winning squad, has joined Blue Square Bet South side Bishop’s Stortford.

Devonshire said: “I felt it was the right move, for the boy’s sake.

“He needs to get regular football.

“He has been a good servant to Braintree Town but he needed a new challenge.

“We wish him well at Bishop’s Stortford.

“I’m looking to bring in another left-sided defender and I expect some movement on that before Christmas.”

Braintree do not have a game this weekend.