FC Halifax Town have been dealt a significant injury blow with young forward AJ Warburton ruled out for up to two months after suffering a broken jaw. The 21-year-old sustained the injury during the club's recent Emirates FA Cup victory over South Shields, a result that extended their winning run to four matches.

Warburton has made three appearances this season and was on a three-month loan at Marine AFC, which began on 8 August 2025, before the injury occurred. His absence will be felt as John McGrath's side look to maintain their momentum in the National League, where they currently sit 10th with 20 points from 13 games, a record of six wins, two draws and five losses. The team is just a few points outside the play-off places and faces a tough test next against third-placed Southend United.

Injury impact on squad depth

The loss of Warburton for an extended period comes at a challenging point in the schedule. The club's recent form has been excellent, with four wins and a draw in their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 3-2 FA Cup win over South Shields last Saturday. In that match, goals from Conor Carty and Max Bardell inside the first 23 minutes set Halifax on their way to a victory that booked their place in the first round proper. This win was part of a strong recent run that also included league victories over Gateshead and Solihull Moors.

With Warburton unavailable, manager John McGrath will need to assess his attacking options from the existing squad. The team's next challenge is a trip to face high-flying Southend United this Saturday, 24 October. Southend are third in the standings, making it a key fixture for Halifax's play-off ambitions.

The injury news casts a shadow over what has been a positive period for the Shaymen. They have scored 22 goals in the league this season while conceding only 15, giving them a healthy goal difference of +7. Maintaining that offensive output without Warburton will be a new test for a squad that has shown resilience during its current unbeaten streak. The focus now shifts to preparing for the away fixture at Southend's Roots Hall this weekend. The team sits 15 points behind league leaders Boreham Wood.

More detail at Football Lowdown