Faversham are crossing their fingers over the fitness of Ryan Huckle after the defender was taken to hospital on Saturday.

The Lilywhites skipper was forced off with a leg injury late on during the 1-0 FA Cup preliminary round defeat at Tooting & Mitcham United.

Joint-manager Danny Chapman believes Huckle may have suffered knee ligament damage, but expects to know more when the results from his scan return.

“Their guy had a shot and Ryan’s leg was planted, putting his body on the line like he always is, and the follow through pushed his leg. I don’t know whether it was backwards or sidewards,” said Chapman.

“I think he’s done his LCL, which is not as bad as the others but I’m not sure.

“He was due to have a scan on Wednesday and we should know more then. He went straight to hospital after the game and came out of there at 11pm in the evening.

“He was okay, I spoke to his dad and he said he might be lucky if it’s his LCL so it’s fingers crossed really. We’ll know a bit more towards the end of the week.

“He’s a strong boy, nobody likes to be carried off, especially him.

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“You knew it was bad when he was laying down, he was in pain in the dressing room.

“When he got stretchered off we knew it was serious but fingers crossed we might be a bit lucky and if it’s diagnosed as an LCL it could be four to eight weeks out.”

A lengthy spell on the sidelines would mark an untimely blow for the 19-year-old after he turned down offers from National League South clubs to pursue regular first-team football at Faversham this season.

Huckle re-signed for the club on a permanent basis in June following his release by Gillingham on the back of a useful loan spell at Salters Lane over part of last season.

“He’s a great lad,” Chapman added.

“He had other offers from Conference South but at the end of the day you want the game to be your teacher.

“You’ve got to learn the game and get experience by playing.

“How can you learn the game by sitting on the bench or being the 16th man? You’ve got to go and play.”

Having beaten Hythe Town 1-0 on Tuesday evening, Faversham are now gearing up to travel to Chichester City on Saturday.

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