CONFIRMED: Benson suffers broken leg

The club had originally stated Benson’s injury wasn’t as bad as first feared, but that was unfortunately down to incorrect information received from the hospital.

Hatters’ official Twitter page has since reported: “Town medical staff and Paul Benson were given inaccurate info earlier, and we’re disappointed to report that Paul has broken his leg.

“We wish Paul a speedy recovery in his bid to get back to full fitness. Early hospital prognosis was incorrect. All the best.”

The news comes as a real blow for Benson, who had looked back to his best and netted his first league goal of the campaign.

But he was stretchered off on 27 minutes after what looked an innocuous challenge and speaking afterwards, boss John Still admitted Luton did struggle to get to grips with his departure, as he said: “I was really disappointed to have lost Paul, he was such a focal point of our attacks today.

“He was really bright, got his goal and when he went off, we couldn’t play in exactly the same way.

“But when we got in at half time we were able to get our wide players to play a bit deeper so we could give them the ball a little bit earlier and there was more space to run into.

“Fortunately that worked okay for us and second half I thought we looked very good, and looked like we could score goals.”

On Benson’s second goal of the campaign and second in four league and cup games, Still continued: “It’s what he does, he’s got an instinct, he just knows.

“He’s worked hard to get back to fitness and sometimes playing on his own (upfront) isn’t always the ideal thing for him, but sometimes all right for the team, and we played Cully a bit closer to him this time.”

Winger Shaun Whalley sent his best wishes to his team-mate, saying: “I’m not sure what happened as it was over the other side of the pitch, but at half time he was going off to the hospital.

“I’m gutted for Benno though as he’s a great lad and I hope he’s all right, I’ll text him on the way home.”

Since the news was announced, Benson’s team-mates have taken to Twitter to offer their support as striker Mark Cullen wrote: Gutted for benno... He will be back!!! The car school will stick together and come back stronge.”

Midfielder Jonathan Smith, who himself suffered a broken leg against Barnet on Boxing Day last year, wrote: “Thoughts go out to my teammate Paul Benson too he will come back strong he’s a real warrior.”

Defender Fraser Franks added: “Absolutely gutted for Benno,” while Mansfield’s official Twitter posted: We would like to wish Luton Town striker Paul Benson a speedy recovery from the broken leg that he suffered in this afternoon’s game.”