Ebbsfleet midfielder Craig Stone has set himself a target of being back in time for next season after suffering a broken leg in the FA Trophy quarter-final goalless draw at Wrexham on Saturday.

Stone was stretchered off during the first half of the game following a challenge with former Gillingham team-mate Andrew Crofts.

The 20-year-old was taken to Wrexham Hospital where he had surgery. It was a double break, with the injury located quite high up his shin.

Stone said: “I’ve set myself a target of being back in time for the end of pre-season and then I want to get back playing.

“The physio in the hospital said to me that it is a long procedure as the tibula and fibula are difficult bones to heal. But they also said that because I’m young and fit they could heal quickly.”

Talking about the incident, Stone said: “It was a bit of a bad touch on my part. We both went full blooded for the tackle and I’m not really sure what happened from there. It was not malicious.

“At first I tried to get up as I didn’t know straight away. As I went to get up I could see it moving around. I then stayed down and the physios came on and really helped me.”

Stone has a full-length heavy cast which will remain on for four to six weeks, before a lightweight cast can then be used.

He added: “The staff at the hospital really looked after me. They knew I had to get back to Kent so they brought me to the front of the queue with X-rays. I then got the operation done.

“I then went to Wrexham’s training ground on Monday and Andrew (Crofts) brought me and my girlfriend Louise back. That’s the sort of bloke he is.”