Canvey Island face a new injury woe as they battle to avoid being dragged into the relegation mire.

Former Football League midfield maestro Jeff Minton who, star striker Lee Boylan apart, probably did more than most to earn them last season's Ryman Premier title and subsequent Nationwide Conference spot, faces another agonising spell out of action.

Minton broke a bone in his foot in the opening week of the season but, after making his comeback in early November, has not played since the end of that month.

Gulls had hoped that he was set for a second return, but a scan has revealed another break, on or close to the original one, and Minton will likely now go back in plaster and be out for another lengthy period.

The cruel blow comes in the wake of a continuation of the Islanders' desperate lack of form on opposition territory as they were thrashed 4-0 at play-off hopefuls More-cambe on Saturday.