WANDERERS midfielder Darren Pratley may not play again this season.

The 29-year-old picked up a hamstring injury against Wolves a month ago to curtail a run of fine form under Neil Lennon that saw him score four goals in six matches over the festive period.

But the extent of the problem means he is not expected back until late April at the earliest, forcing the Wanderers boss to consider whether he will figure again this campaign.

The Whites boss told The Bolton News: “Prats is long-term – he is going to be maybe another six or seven weeks.

“That injury came right off the tendon.

“So we may see him back before the end of the season but we may not.”

Pratley’s continued absence is a blow for Lennon but he has no new injury concerns ahead of tonight’s visit of Reading with weekend casualties Neil Danns and Liam Feeney expected to recover.

Emile Heskey, though, will be monitored after back-to-back matches against Middlesbrough and Brighton in the past eight days.

Lennon added: “I think Feens and Dannsy should be okay. It was precautionary on Saturday more than anything else.

“Those are two sluggers – they will come through it okay.

“Emile had a bit of cramp.

“It’s a big ask for him after playing 90 minutes last Tuesday and then he had a good 70-75 minutes on Saturday.

“We will have to wait and see if he is recovered in time but his performances have been excellent.

“I can’t imagine there will be any real problems for tonight.”

Lennon may not have extra injury concerns but admits he is considering his selection after the weekend introduction of Kevin McNaughton and a switch of role for Josh Vela paid dividends with the latter providing the winning goal for Zach Clough.

The boss hinted McNaughton is in the reckoning for what would be a first start in more than four months.

He said: “We have wait and see how everyone is but Kevin may start so we can look to push Vela on – that seemed to work for us on Saturday.

“If we are going to make changes it will be only slight ones – possibly one or two.”