Chatham defender Brad Potter ended Tuesday night with a hole in the side of his face.

Potter was caught by a stray elbow in the Chats’ 3-2 win at Maldon & Tiptree in Ryman League Division 1 North.

Chatham boss Kevin Watson said: “His tooth went through the side of his mouth and there was a hole. You could see all the way through. He needed about eight stitches.

“Brad puts his body on the line and that’s why he’s been captain and vice-captain.

“I’m not going to rush him back because he needs to be right. But it’s not a long-term injury. As long as he thinks he can play, he could be back as early as Saturday.”

Potter is not the first Chats player to have suffered a nasty injury in recent weeks. Corey Holder ruptured his spleen and had to have it removed after his elbow went into his side during a game at Romford last month.

Chatham host AFC Sudbury on Saturday and Watson added: "I just hope that win kick-starts something. There’s no point putting all that effort in, getting a result and then letting yourselves down in the next few games.

“Saturday will be a good test for us. We’ve got games in hand but can’t keep waiting. We need to put points on the board. It’s important to claim some ground back before Christmas.”