NEIL Lennon admits losing Max Clayton for the rest of the season has come as a “massive blow”.

The Whites boss revealed yesterday the 20-year-old would be sidelined for at least six months with a cruciate ligament injury.

Lennon has backed Clayton to bounce back but conceded that losing another attacking option was a bitter pill to swallow.

“It’s a massive blow for us and the player, who was doing very, very well,” he said. “We just seem to be unfortunate as when we get an injury, it’s a serious one.

“Max was looking a real threat for us and giving us real impetus going forward. He’s a great kid and works very hard at his game.So we hope the rehab will be straightforward with no complications.”

Lennon takes some solace from the fact Clayton’s recovery should not be a complicated one.

“It’s a clean cruciate injury, so the surgery was straightforward,” he said. “When you use the word cruciate, there’s a gasp of breath every time it’s mentioned.”

Meanwhile, Lennon does not expect to see Joe Mason playing in a Wanderers shirt again this season.

The Cardiff striker has returned to South Wales after tearing his hamstring and the Whites boss expects him to stay with the Bluebirds, who were reported to be preparing to recall him in January anyway.

“Joe’s gone back to Cardiff,” he said of the striker who faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines. “The consensus was that Cardiff would be taking him back. So just because he picked up an injury, that shouldn’t change the situation as far as I’m concerned.”