Wilson says captain's absence will benefit him in the long run

Evatt, 34, is set to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a niggling Achilles injury that he sustained before Christmas.

Now it has been confirmed the club skipper needs longer to ensure he fully recovers from the injury.

Speaking after the news was revealed, Wilson said: “Ian’s problem has reoccurred or not really settled down.

“So now he has to be immobilised now for quite a while.

“That basically says he is out until the end of the season.

“The professionals are telling us that he could possibly have a problem if we didn’t do this, so we’d be very foolish not to take notice.

“That’s why we are doing it now so he can have it nice and clear for pre-season.

“He’ll be working throughout pre-season.

“It’s a big area to get his fitness up.

“Ian is still around and very influential but he’s disappointed as you can imagine.”