Canvey Island's hopes of making an impact in their first Nationwide Conference season were rocked today when star playmaker Jeff Minton was ruled out of action for the next 10 weeks with a broken foot.

Out of action - Canvey's Jeff Minton faces a long lay-off with a broken foot Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Former Football League star Minton, one of the key men in Gulls' winning the Ryman Premier title last term, was forced off in the early stages of Saturday's thrilling 3-3 home draw with Tamworth.

And X-rays have revealed that the ex-Spurs, Brighton, Rotherham, Port Vale and Leyton Orient midfielder has broken the metatarsal bone in his foot - the same injury suffered by England's Real Madrid star David Beckham a couple of years ago and is currently side-lining Wayne Rooney.

Canvey boss Jeff King admitted that the lengthy absence of Minton, who joined the club two years ago, would be a "major blow."

But he will not be making an immediate plunge into the transfer market to find a replacement.

He said: "Mint's is a player of huge talent who offers us something different, but his absence will mean that other players in our squad will get a chance.

"Injuries are something that are out of everyone's control and losing Mints is obviously a major blow, but it could be that someone else will come in and take advantage."

Gulls have a midweek break from action before embarking on a busy Bank Holiday programme which sees them travelling to Exeter on Saturday before hosting Barnet on Monday (3pm).

Mark Stimson's Grays will attempt to maintain their fine start to the season tonight when they visit Kent for a seaside special in the Conference South league.

Thurrock suffered a dose of Monday night misery as they were blitzed 5-0 by Bognor Regis.

Published Tuesday August 24, 2004

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