COLCHESTER United fear Matty Longstaff has suffered a serious knee injury after he was stretchered off in their 1-0 win at Gillingham.
The on-loan Newcastle United midfielder was carried off in stoppage-time in the League Two encounter, at Priestfield Stadium.
Longstaff had only just come on as an 82-minute substitute for Samson Tovide, prior to suffering the knee injury.
After lengthy treatment, the 22-year-old was stretchered off with what appears to be a bad injury.
Bloomfield said: "Matty looks like he's sustained a serious knee injury.
"The first question he said to me as we went through was 'did we win?' and that sums him up.
"He's the most dedicated, caring kid that you'll meet, in terms of his football.
"He's had his hamstring since we've been in and it looks like he's done his knee, so I'm absolutely gutted for him.
"He's such a great kid - he's come on loan and he cares and I just feel really, really gutted for him.
"Matty's just gone to turn and something has gone in his knee.
"It was really innocuous in terms of the fact that there was no tackle; it was just him turning.
"I hope it's not as bad as first feared but sometimes, the worst ones are.
"He's in tears inside and I couldn't feel for him any more than I do right now."
Longstaff's loan at Colchester is due to expire next month.
The former Mansfield Town loanee has made ten appearances for the U's since joining them on loan from Newcastle, on September 1.
His time at the JobServe Community Stadium has been fragmented by a hamstring injury.
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