Folkestone have been dealt a major blow with the news that Ronnie Dolan has fractured his ankle.

The midfielder will be out long-term after sustaining the injury in Saturday’s FA Trophy defeat at Woking.

Dolan has been a key figure for Invicta this season so it’s the last news manager Neil Cugley wanted to hear.

He said: “Ronnie phoned me on Sunday. He’d been to hospital and it’s a fracture so that’s a disappointment because he has been good.

“It’s disappointing when you’ve got him out plus Sam Hasler and Johan ter Horst. They’re three big players for us.

“With Scott Heard as well, it’s four and you’d love to have all of them in your team.

“It’s a setback, I can’t deny that. Ronnie’s been outstanding, probably our best player and to have the other two out as well.

“Johan, you’re looking to get 20 or 30 goals and Hasler was in the managers’ team-of-the-year last season, so it’s three big players and when you chuck Heardy into that equation, it is a bit frustrating.

“But we’ve got to make sure we keep working and pulling together as a team and get through it.”

Dolan has made 22 appearances for Folkestone this season and 166 in total since joining from Hastings four years ago.

Cugley said: “I feel sorry for him as a part-time player because he’s got a new baby, just moved house and he’s got his job, so all that goes into the equation.

“He does work outside and it will impact that but he’s a good lad and hopefully he won’t be too far away from getting back.”

So will Cugley be able to bring in a replacement?

He said: “I wouldn’t have thought so. The trouble is, they’re all contracted players and you’ve got to pay them.

“We’ll have a look. Let’s get Saturday’s game out of the way and then we’ll sit down with people and see what they think.

“To be fair to the lads I haven’t got playing, they’re not bad. This is the first time I’ve had a squad of 16-17.

“With three out, it doesn’t leave you loads but at least we’ve still got a bit of quality there. We’re still OK.”

Folkestone, who were away to Whitehawk last night (Tuesday), are back in Bostik Premier action on Saturday.

They’re at home to Merstham, who were a point below them with two games in hand ahead of the midweek fixtures.