Tonbridge defender Ben Swift is likely to make his comeback from a long-term knee injury after Christmas.

Swift, 27, hasn’t played since suffering the injury in a National League South game against Havant last November.

He was initially ruled out for three months but ended up requiring an operation.

Swift, who joined Aston Villa from Maidstone’s academy as a teenager, was one of Jay Saunders’ first signings as Tonbridge manager, following him to Longmead from Margate.

“He had to have an operation on his knee,” said Saunders.

“I don’t think he’s going to be back until December/February time.

“First of all they didn’t think he needed an operation and then they advised him to have one.

“He said December or February but it’ll be after Christmas, I’d have thought, by the time he’s done his rehab and got himself fit.

“It’s a blow to be without him because Swifty’s a good player.

“As a manager and a coaching staff and a team, you want players where you know what you’re going to get.

“And nine times of 10 you get that from Swifty.

“He’s a left-footed centre-half as well, and they aren’t easy to find.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to get Ronny Nelson in, and that kind of made my decision to go after Ronny because having that left-footer balance is important.

“At the moment all Swifty can do is rest his knee.

“He’s been in a few times and then once he can step up his rehab he’ll be in with us all the time.”

Tonbridge enjoyed a winning start to the National League South season on Saturday with a 3-2 home victory over Weymouth.

Man-of-the-match Sean Shields scored the decisive third, having earlier set up goals for Liam Vincent and debutant Trevan Robinson in front of an opening-day crowd of 945.