Sittingbourne defender Michael Turner is facing at least six months out after a horror injury.

Turner suffered a triple leg break and a dislocated ankle during the Brickies’ 2-0 home win against East Grinstead on Saturday.

The centre-half appeared to get his studs caught in the ground as he prepared to make a challenge late in the first half.

“It’s one of the worst injuries I’ve seen or been involved in as a player or a manager,” said Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell.

“It was a real bad one. I heard something from across the pitch so right away we knew. Within 20 seconds, I told my assistant to phone the ambulance.”

It will be a long road back for Turner, who joined the Brickies on dual-registration from Romford before Christmas.

But the club will support him all the way and he can count on advice from Maxwell, who overcame a triple leg break himself during his playing days.

“He was going to challenge and it looked like he caught his studs,” said Maxwell.

“It looked like he was going to make the tackle and suddenly he didn’t and was in agony.

“It was a horrible scenario but he took it well, I must say.

“He showed real strength of character and resolve but I’m gutted for him because he’s only just started playing at this level and I’ve said to him and the players he was going to play at least another level up next year.

“It’s a six-month injury, at best, I would think. That’s what we’ve estimated.

“Strangely, I’ve had it myself. I had a triple break in my left shin in my 30s and I came back and played at Step 4 for Ware.

“I remember rehab. It was a long journey but I was in my 30s, whereas Michael’s 23/24 and he’ll heal better and quicker than I did. He’ll come back, it’s just a case of when.

“The road to recovery is a long one but certainly one we’ll be supporting him with. He’s a great lad and we think a lot of him.

“It’s not a career-ender, it’s just a real tough part of the game that does happen.

“You just don’t think it’s going to happen to you.”

Sittingbourne cleared their heads after losing Turner, with Danny Parish breaking the deadlock in first-half injury time before Mitchell May completed a 2-0 victory after the break.

The Brickies were determined to get a result for their stricken team-mate.

“We were pretty comfortable,” said Maxwell, whose side consolidated third place in Isthmian South East.

“My concern was, when that happened to Michael, that we may lose focus and I would have forgiven them for it for a while.

“But we managed to get a goal and we made it clear at half-time that we had to get a result for Michael.

“The boys came out and Mitchell May scored an excellent goal and we’d have been good value for a few more.

“We were in control and it was great to get a win after having two games called off on the back of a defeat.”

Sittingbourne visit Kent rivals Ashford on Saturday (3pm).

It’s a return to Homelands for Parish, who was released by the Nuts & Bolts in January despite being their top scorer.

“Danny’s done what we brought him in to do,” said Maxwell.

“He’s a goalscorer but there’s more to his game than goals.

“His appreciation of players around him is very good, he’s a good footballer, an intelligent footballer.

“I’ve said to him I want to get him back to the level I know he can play at and that’s potentially with us next season if we get promoted.

“He’s focused on the job at hand.

“He’s been brilliant since he came in. He’s got a touch of class and he’s fitted in straight away.

“I used to revel in playing against my old club. I used to love it. I think most players are the same.

“They always want to make sure they do well against their old club for whatever reason.

“Maybe they want to show them what they’re missing, or whatever.

“There’s many reasons players want to do well against their old club, and Danny will be no different.

“I’d expect Danny to want to do the same but ultimately it’s not about Danny, it’s about us getting another three points and keeping the pressure on the two sides above us.

“Ashford aren’t a bad side on their day. They have a way of playing and if they get in their stride they can be dangeorus.

“We know it’ll be a tough game but we’ve got a job to do.

“There’s no nice way of putting it, we’ve got to win every game and that includes Ashford on Saturday.”

A fundraiser has been set up to help injured defender Turner. Donations can be made here.