1s captain Ed Poulter faces a lengthy lay off after receiving some unwelcome results from his Orthopaedic surgeon in a letter earlier today.

Following a scan last month, it was learnt that the 33-year-old has a 'right paracentral disc protrusion' in his lower back and will not be able to exercise for some time. Surgery is likely and his return date is currently unknown.

The news comes as a big blow for the Club just 11 days before the start of the new season. Attentions will undoubtedly turn to potential replacements for the absent skipper in the heart of defence. Fred Coleridge Cole has been a regular over the past couple of seasons but with Fred Milln unavailable for the first game on 13th September, selectors will be looking at others to stake their claim for a starting position.