He came off after just ten minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Bury at Gigg Lane and his nose is likely to need surgery to be re-set.
“Niall has broken his nose and he had to come straight off,” explained Brian Laws
“That was a body blow for us because Niall has been performing well.
“He’s probably going to have to have surgery on it, because it was completely smashed.
“But it showed his bravery and he’s the only one who has shown that at this football club."
Canavan is out of contract at Glanford Park in the summer.
