Ebbsfleet's Joe Howe faces up to a month on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in midweek.

Howe, who turned 27 last week, has just passed 200 appearances for the Fleet but it'll be a while before he adds to that tally.

He did brilliantly to track Braintree winger Chez Isaac in the early stages of Tuesday's FA Trophy third round tie at Cressing Road but landed awkwardly when the pair tangled in the box.

Howe looked in pain straight away and it was several minutes before he was able to leave the field, his shirt forming a makeshift sling to support his right shoulder.

Ebbsfleet physiotherapist Jamie Crosswell and the Braintree club doctor both tried to pop Howe's shoulder back in at the ground but he had to be driven to hospital.

Howe went to a fracture clinic on Thursday and now has to wear a sling for three weeks.

That leaves Ebbsfleet manager Jamie Day with a dilemna as to who will take Howe's place for the next few games.

Day's preferred formation is 3-5-2 and among those who could replace Howe in the left wing-back position are Brendan Kiernan and Sean Shields.

Fleet are away to promotion rivals Gosport Borough on Saturday.