MARC Tierney says the quick thinking of tunnel medics on Tuesday night means he will probably only be out for weeks rather than months following a dislocated shoulder.

The Colchester United left-back felt his left shoulder pop out of its socket when a Dagenham & Redbridge player fell on him during a challenge late in the midweek 2-2 draw.

And with the clash of heads between Magnus Okuonghae and Romain Vincelot still occupying medical staff from both clubs, Tierney made the decision to head straight down the tunnel and seek out assistance.

There a quick-thinking member of the match day ambulance service moved swiftly to put the shoulder back into place – a move that could well have prevented long-term damage.

“Their player took a heavy touch so I went in for the tackle,” said Tierney. “He landed on me afterwards, a few of our lads aren’t sure whether it was on purpose or not, and then he pushed himself up off my shoulder.

“I’ve never had it before but my shoulder just popped out. Tony Flynn (Colchester physio) was still keeping an eye on some of the other injuries that had gone on, so I headed straight for the tunnel and found one of the medical staff.

“They quickly put my shoulder back into place and I’m told that if that hadn’t been done so quickly the muscles would have seized up and I’d have required surgery.

“If that had happened we could have been looking at months rather than weeks.”

The 25-year-old was due to see a specialist in London on Thursday afternoon, but with the scanner unavailable he had his appointment moved to Ipswich Hospital yesterday with the results due back on Monday.

– Full interview and two-page match preview of MK Dons v Colchester United in today’s EADT.