Sittingbourne Crusaders will go into this weekend’s opening home Conference League match against Redcar Cubs tinged with sadness.

It is a table-topping Cubs side that the Crusaders welcome to the Old Gun Site on Sunday, but news that recently filtered in from Folkestone regarding new signing Barry Burchatt may mean that the hosts struggle to focus on matters in hand.

The 20-year-old from Badgers Mount was competing in the Champion of Champions grass track event at Swingfield when he was involved in a bad collision leading to serious internal injuries.

Burchatt is still in a critical condition in Ashford Hospital with damage sustained to ribs, spine and lungs, and the whole club’s thoughts are with the brave Sevenoaks speedster.

Crusaders team boss Chris Hunt said: "Barry was so looking forward to appearing at last for his home county club, prepared to travel long distances to double up with us and his Premier League side, Workington.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Barry for a full recovery and with his family and friends."

Hunt remains confident his side can stay focused, however.

"Redcar come to us top of the division but man for man we feel we can mount a realistic challenge," he said.

"Our skipper Dean Felton is in superb form and though he’s had a few mechanical problems, Jerran Hart is basically firing on all cylinders already."

Two new faces will figure for the Kent side on Sunday – Crowborough’s Nathan Irwin, and 20-year-old Dan Berwick from Rochester.