Tonbridge could be without captain Tom Parkinson for the rest of the season after the midfielder suffered another ankle injury.

Parkinson has been excellent for Angels since recovering from a broken ankle a year ago but is facing more time out.

It’s the other ankle this time, with Parkinson crocked in a challenge during the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 Bostik Premier victory against AFC Hornchurch.

Boss Steve McKimm is optimistic there’s no break but even ligament damage could finish his season.

McKimm said: “It’s very sore and very painful but I don’t think it’s broken, although we won’t be 100% sure until he’s had his MRI scan.

“We put him in plaster straight away, just in case it was broken, but the plaster’s off now and we’re hopeful it’s just ligament damage.

“Fortunately it’s the opposite ankle to the one he broke.

“I say that because he’s got plates in the one he broke, so that could have caused a lot more damage.

“He’s got a consultation at the end of the week and we’ll find out more after his scan.

“It could be that he’s out for the rest of the season, it just depends on the information we get back.

“It’s a shame because we missed him before and since he’s come back he’s gone from strength to strength.

“He’ll still be around the club. He’s our captain, our leader, the boys look up to him and respect his views and he won’t want to miss any games.”

Angels’ patience was rewarded with Tom Derry’s 85th-minute winner against Hornchurch.

McKimm added: “Barry Moore, my assistant, told the players to be patient and keep doing what they were doing because it just needed that one bit of quality rather than throwing balls forward.

“They did that and it paid off with a great defence-splitting ball from Tom Beere, a great cross from Joe Turner and Tom Derry got across the defender and put it in the net.”

Fourth-placed Tonbridge continue their play-off bid at home to struggling Corinthian Casuals this Saturday.

McKimm said: “We’ve got to try and win a couple more and see where we are with five or six games left.

“We’ll have to be patient again, like we were against Hornchurch, because Corinthian will come and stick people behind the ball.”

Tonbridge host Bromley in Kent Senior Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.