DOVER ATHLETIC are vowing to stand-by injured striker Jimmy Dryden after learning he needs an operation which could keep him out for up to nine months.

Dryden’s father Archie said that his son had torn a ligament after first injuring his knee while on a skiing holiday in January soon after signing from local rivals Folkestone Invicta.

In their first official comment about the situation, Dover put the cost of surgery at £8,000, and say the club is not insured against off the field accidents. Officials, along with Mr Dryden, senior have pledged to meet the cost of the operation.

A statement on the website said a scan showed damage to the knee, but not to the cruciate ligament. Damage to a couple of smaller ligaments will need an operation and recovery is on average between six to nine months.

"Jimmy also has the option to continue playing, while receiving intensive physio, but would run the risk of making the injury worse, which could end his career and leave him crippled."

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