By Andrew Gidley

Michael West could be out of action for up to three weeks after it was confirmed he is set to undergo a hernia operation.

The Ebbsfleet midfielder, who will celebrate his 21st birthday next week, will play in the FA Trophy third round tie at York on Saturday, but looks set to miss the rest of a busy month including games against title-chasing Fleetwood and Wrexham.

West (pictured) limped off at Hayes a fortnight ago and missed the league defeat at York but returned to face Tamworth and Mansfield.

Boss Liam Daish said: "We are trying to manage the injury as best we can and are waiting to find out when the surgeon is available. He will be out for two or three weeks."

Midfielder Ram Marwa will miss the return trip to Bootham Crescent with a knee injury but Daish added: "It is not as bad as we first expected but it’s a case of seeing how things progress. Saturday will come too quickly for him, though."

Ebbsfleet signed Reading’s 19-year-old striker Gozie Ugwu on loan on Tuesday. Ugwu had been on loan at Eastleigh earlier this season.

Canadian defender Ross Smith has returned for a third spell at Stonebridge Road and will provide the defensive cover Daish needs after Ian Simpemba’s move to Dover last month.

Smith has been playing for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.