DAN Parslow has admitted it was “horrible news” when he learned he would miss the rest of the season due to cruciate ligament damage.

The 28-year-old defender, who has made 316 appearances for the Minstermen, has only ever been sidelined twice by injury during more than seven years at Bootham Crescent.

But he is now facing the longest lay-off, by far, of his professional career and is still adjusting to the shock.

He said: “I had ankle ligament damage during my first year at York for seven weeks and I had that nasty head injury at the end of the 2010/11 season but, otherwise, I have had a clean bill of health.

“I am 28 and my injury record has been very good so it was horrible news being told that I am looking at six months out.

“I have to get my head around that and I am coming to terms with it. It’s a bit of a shock but I am okay and, as soon as I can, I will be working hard to get fit.

“It will be difficult because you just want to be doing your bit, pulling your weight and trying to win football matches for York City so not being able to play, sit on the bench or be available for selection will be tough. I will have to learn how to be a good spectator though and will be getting right behind the lads.”

Parslow cannot currently do any form of rehabilitation until he has had surgery, which he hopes will be performed just after Christmas.

He added: “I am waiting for the swelling to go down and a date for my operation, which will hopefully be at the end of the month.

“I just have to rest and keep off the knee at the moment because there is a lot of fluid on it.

“Realistically, I am looking at pre-season before I can think about playing again. Then, it will be a matter of getting myself fit, stronger and ready to go.”

Parslow has also received encouragement from past and present team-mates, who can empathise with his situation, including current City player Michael Coulson.

Former Scarborough forward Coulson is still playing despite undergoing three cruciate operations and Parslow said: “I’ve had lots of kind words and messages.

“Scott Kerr has been in touch to offer any help and advice he can, which is nice of him. Chris Doig has done the same because he’s been through something similar.

“I’ve also chatted to Couls a few times over the last couple of weeks. Several of my team-mates over the years have been there and got through it and knowing what he has come through to still be playing reassures you.”

Parslow revealed his desire to avoid making the same mistake he had made in the previous match against Bristol Rovers contributed to the damage he suffered at Southend.

“Having made the error on the Tuesday, that was fresh in my mind and I was in a similar scenario,” he pointed out. “I had to decide whether I should try to shepherd the ball out or deal with it so I went to clear it with my left foot.

“I didn’t quite catch it correctly and the ball went out for a corner.

“There was no contact with anybody or anything, but when I tried to plant my foot down as I landed my leg twisted and the knee just buckled and gave way.”

In Parslow’s absence, new centre-back partners David McGurk and Keith Lowe have helped the team keep back-to-back clean sheets and, with Chris Smith on the mend following an ankle problem, the former Wales Under-21 international reckons manager Nigel Worthington will not be short of defensive quality during the second half of the season.

“I’ve obviously played with Dave many times and know what he can do,” Parslow said. “If he can keep himself fit, he is a top, top defender.

“My time playing with Keith Lowe amounted to just 15 minutes unfortunately but, apparently, both him and Dave had good games at Morecambe and I saw them play well against Rochdale when they shut them out, so they have had a promising start.

“They are both experienced players and, with Chris Smith not being too far away from coming back too, it should not be an issue that I am out. It’s unfortunate for myself but the gaffer has plenty of options in that position. It’s my turn to have an injury now but we have a great bunch of lads and a strong squad capable of stringing some results together.”