Josh Stones has returned to parent club Wigan after being ruled out for up to three months with a foot injury sustained in his last game for Oldham Athletic.

The striker, who has had a huge impact in just a short time at Boundary Park, scored the opener in a 2-0 win over Hartlepool United on Saturday, but was forced off before half-time.

Stones initially pulled up midway through the first half but tried to carry on.

However, he was unable to make it to the break and was seen with a protective boot and crutches at the end of the game.

A scan has since revealed ligament damage that Wigan boss Shaun Maloney expects to take up to 12 weeks to heal.

"Josh isn't good, unfortunately," Maloney confirmed. "It looks as though it could be anything between 10 and 12 weeks, which is obviously a real blow.

"He was on fire at Oldham and was due back on January 12 to compete for a place back here."

Stones joined Latics in December on a month-long youth loan deal and was an instant hit.

The 20-year-old went straight into the starting line-up to face Solihull Moors and played a key role in a comeback win in the Midlands - scoring the equaliser and providing the assist for Nathan Sheron's first goal in the 3-2 win.

Stones went on to score in the Boxing Day win at Hartlepool and set up James Norwood's brace, before adding to his own tally in the reverse festive fixture on Saturday.

But that has proved to be his last game for Latics as he returns to Wigan for treatment.