NICKY Hunt's graduation to Wanderers' first team ranks has been put on hold by a freak injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season.

The 19-year-old defender spent last night in hospital with a broken and dislocated shoulder he suffered half an hour into the reserve team victory over Birmingham at Gigg Lane.

Sam Allardyce, who saw the youngster slide off the pitch and crash into the advertising hoardings, said today: "I'm totally gutted for the lad. He's been part of our first team plans of late and it's just a shame that this has happened at this stage of the season."