Striker Warren Feeney shows his distress as he is stretchered off

The Cardiff frontman was thought to be out for up to four months after picking up the injury while on loan at League One table-toppers Swansea City.

But Swans boss Roberto Martinez said: "It was such a bad challenge, we feared it was a worse injury.

"Hopefully he will be back in about six or seven weeks which is not as long as we expected in the beginning."

Feeney's loan deal at Swansea ends on 1 January, but the rival clubs are in talks about making the 26-year-old's move permanent.

But a decision on the Northern Ireland player's future will not be made until then.

"Warren is our player until 1 January and we have always expressed we would like to keep him for a longer term," said Martinez.

"Hopefully everything will progress and we will see where we are."

In the meantime, Feeney will spend time back at Cardiff to receive treatment on the heavy swelling on the soft tissue of the ankle.

606: DEBATE This isn't good. He is the only player on our team who can score headers rhysj1_jack_army

Feeney had already headed the Swans ahead in Saturday's 3-0 win over Southend on Saturday when a heavy tackle from Lewis Hunt saw the striker stretchered off with ankle ligament damage.

The former Bournemouth, Stockport and Luton striker started the match at the Liberty Stadium because Jason Scotland failed a late fitness test.

Scotland suffered a stomach strain in training and Swansea will hope that the Trinidad and Tobago hitman is fit in time for next Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at Carlisle.

Swansea held on to top spot in League One with the victory over Southend, who had Nick Bailey sent off on 35 minutes.