A talented footballer has suffered a major blow to his career after he was injured during a match.

Harwich and Parkeston FC striker Peter Johnston fractured his leg in the second minute of a derby game against Clacton.

The injury has cast doubt over his promising career with the Metropolitan Police where he recently started training.

Mr Johnston, 23, who lives in Hendon, needed surgery on his leg and will be out for the rest of the season. He is due to be released from hospital on tomorrow and will stay with his parents in Colchester while he recovers.

A spokesman for the club said: "Johnston is a trainee in the Metropolitan Police and the injury might well threaten his career."

Manager Adrian Gray said: "It is a great loss to the team as Peter is a good player and we are going to have to try and find another to replace him."

Mr Johnston, a regular first teamer, took his place in the reserve side against Clacton reserves, to get match practise after missing some games because of work.

"It is not as bad as we first thought and the fracture is a fairly clean one without any damage done to the ligament," added Mr Gray.

He had his bone pinned and reset in plaster and will need further sugery later to have the metal work removed.

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002