Canterbury head coach Andy Pratt says the gloss has been taken off the club’s fine run to within seven points of the top of National 2 South by a succession of long-term injuries.

Charlie Harding, whose recent performances at centre have helped the city club record four wins in their last five games, suffered a double fracture of his leg in the win over Dings Crusaders on Saturday and will miss the rest of the season.

He joins lock Tom Burns (cruciate ligament), wing Angus Furneaux (neck fracture) and flankers George Micans (broken ankle) and Pete Kelly on the long-term injury list.

Pratt said: “You expect some knocks and niggles through the season but this is yet another serious long-term injury.

“I feel dreadful for him and it took the gloss off the win and the weekend. We’re lucky that we have Ricky Mackintosh who has come in and done pretty well and we have Alex Veale and Tom Best to come in.

“So while we’re disappointed to lose Charlie, it is an area in which we have some strength.”

Canterbury sit third ahead of Saturday’s trip to Cambridgeshire side Shelford – the first of three straight games against sides in the bottom six which precede a huge clash with leaders Hartpury College at the end of November.

Pratt said: “We’re pleased to be where we are but I’m still not sure whether we are in a false position yet.

“We won’t know until we have played everyone once. We could easily have lost on Saturday but I have to praise the spirit and character the players showed."

Canterbury will hand a debut to 18-year-old wing Connor Wallace-Sims, who scored twice in a convincing win for the Pilgrims side against Old Elthamians on Saturday.