Teenager Kymani Thomas has been feeling the love after the horror injury he suffered while playing for Herne Bay.

Thomas broke his tibia and fibula against Horsham, leading to their Isthmian Premier match being abandoned last Saturday.

The forward says the kind messages he has received since have helped keep him going.

“I’ve been getting messages from people I have never even spoken to or heard of before,” said the 19-year-old.

“It feels nice that people are showing that they care - showing the love.

“I’ve had some people I don’t even know ask me if I need anything.

"It’s making it easier to get through these times.”

Among those to reach out have been Thomas’ team-mates.

He noted: “A lot of the senior boys have spoken to me. I think some will come down to visit.”

Bay saw their league fixture initially delayed - and eventually called off altogether - in the first half after Thomas’ injury at Winch’s Field, with the hosts 2-0 down.

Thomas recalled: “They had a corner. I’m usually on the edge of the box from corners.

“The ball came out from the corner. I’ve kicked the ball past the first player and I’ve run around him. Then, another player has come sprinting over.

“He has tackled from the front and another player has come in behind so it was a bit of a sandwich.

“I didn’t really feel anything but I knew something had happened. I tried to move and I felt my leg dangle so I laid back down. But nobody had seen it.

“Then, I’ve shouted ‘my leg is broken, I need a stretcher’. I don’t know if they heard me or not.

"But one of my team-mates saw my reaction.”

Eight-goal Thomas had been enjoying a fine debut season in senior football after his move from Dulwich.

“It’s been good so far,” he said from hospital in Margate on Tuesday.

“To be honest, injury apart, this is how I had planned out my first season in men’s football.

“I had hoped to make a name for myself.

"Hopefully I’ve shown enough and, next season, I’ll come back stronger.”

Thomas also thanked the medical professionals for the support they have offered to him in hospital.

“They have made everything go quickly,” he said.

“Even to get my surgery done that quick [on Monday] was a surprise as well.

“Everything is going well so far. Hopefully, I can get home within the next few days and just sort things out with a hospital more local to me.

“I think they’ve already spoken to them and, hopefully, they’ll be doing that. I think it’ll be fine.”

Herne Bay are at the foot of the table and are due to visit fellow strugglers Brightlingsea this Saturday.

But now, Thomas won’t play a part again on the field in the club’s survival bid.

Thomas said: “Hopefully, the boys can stay up in that league. I feel like they will.

“They’re a good bunch of lads. There’s a fighting mentality so I feel like we will stay up.”

On how long he thinks he’ll be out for, he replied: “100 per cent, the rest of the season.

“The doctors are saying I can put weight on my leg now.

“But hopefully, I can be back pre-season or the start of next season.”

But that doesn’t mean Thomas won’t join Herne Bay fans at the ground before the season is out.

He said: “That’s something I’m thinking about, just coming down to see a game, getting to see the fans and the people at the club.”

Herne Bay’s plans to fundraise for Thomas will be revealed soon.

“I’ve just read about that,” he said. “I’m thankful.

“It shows that they care and they’re supporting me.”

Thomas acknowledges he does, however, still have plenty of time on his side in his footballing career.

He said: “That’s why I’ve not been stressing about it too much. I’m still young.

“It’s my first season as a senior player. Hopefully, I can come back stronger mentally and physically.

“But I’m just trying to get through it day by day.”

Days on from sustaining the injury, he’s remaining positive.

Thomas said: “I’m feeling quite good actually, better than all the other days. My legs are feeling fine.

“Hopefully, I can put pressure on it soon. I’m just a bit tired.”

Both goalkeeper Jordan Perrin and on-loan Tonbridge midfielder Mason Saunders-Henry will see their one-game suspensions carried over for the game at Brightlingsea.

Herne Bay will host Margate in a derby on Tuesday.