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Huddersfield Town’s recent loan striker Grant Holt’s hopes of playing football again may have to wait until the New Year – 2016!

Wigan Athletic’s 1-0 Championship defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at the DW Stadium was overshadowed by the news returning front-runner Holt faces up to a year on the sidelines with a suspected cruciate knee ligament injury.

The Latics were beaten 1-0 by the Owls in their final game of 2014 and will begin the new calendar year in the Championship’s bottom three.

Wigan’s failings in front of goal were all too evident in a third straight home loss and boss Malky Mackay had hoped Holt, who was sent on loan to Town after falling out with previous boss Uwe Rosler, could remedy some of their problems in attack.

However, Mackay revealed the 33-year-old would be unable to spearhead any possible Wigan revival after suffering a serious injury in his final loan game with Town at Rotherham on Boxing Day.

“We scanned his injury and it’s pretty devastating, he’s going to be out for nine to 12 months with a knee injury,” Mackay said.

“He’s devastated and we are for him. He came off on Saturday after a pretty innocuous challenge.

“He limped off, we scanned it and spoke to a specialist and it was confirmed that he’s got a knee injury that’s going to keep him out for nine to 12 months.

“He’s an experienced striker and he would have been a good one for us to come in.”

Holt responded to the news, saying: “Absolutely gutted is an understatement.

“When I went off on Friday I didn’t think much of it because I carried on for another few minutes.

“To get the scan results and hear what the outcome was is bitterly disappointing.

“I think everyone knows I wanted to come back and show everyone what I’m about. I think people saw that in me when I was out on loan, I was sharp and enjoying my football again, but yes, it’s a big low point at the moment.

“Personally I just wanted to get back. I’ve had a bit of criticism from certain quarters whilst I’ve been here, but I wanted to show them what I’m about.

“It’s so disappointing because I wanted to come back and do my best for the bunch of lads in that dressing room, it’s a blow for me and a blow for the club because they expected me back and ready to play.

“At the moment it feels like this has kind of typified my career at Wigan, but I’ve got another 18 months here so I’ve got time to do it right.”

Mark Hudson today led the messages of good will for former Town loan man Grant Holt.

Town’s skipper took to Twitter to express the thoughts of the John Smith’s Stadium squad when it was revealed Holt has suffered cruciate knee ligament damage which could keep him out for nine months.

Hudson Tweeted: “Really gutted about my mate Grant Holt. It was a pleasure to play with you bud.

“You will dominate the rehab and be back to your best soon.”

Town supporters group North Stand Loyal added their support for Holt, who had been mentioned as a possible Town target during the January transfer window.

“Good luck for a speedy recovery,” they messaged to the striker.

“Hugely popular with the fans and HTAFC and made a significant impact. All the best.”