GRAVESEND have been struck by the curse of the metatarsal which has ruled new signing Stacy Long out for up to six weeks.

With the clock ticking down to the start of the new Nationwide Conference seasonon August 12, the 21-year-old former Charlton and England youth international midfielder broke the small bone in a foot during the first half of the friendly at Eastbourne Borough.

England’s David Beckham and Wayne Rooney have both suffered from much publicised metatarsal breaks.

Fleet manager Liam Daish described the setback as a "savage blow". He had regarded the midfield tandem of Long and fellow newcomer Jon Keeling as crucial to the side.

He said: "Just when you get excited something like this rises up and kicks you in the teeth. I reckon Stacy will be out from four to six weeks."

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