EVESHAM United midfielder Joe Turley has been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining anterior cruciate ligament damage.

The former Cheltenham Town trainee will undergo an operation next month to repair the knee he injured against Didcot Town in the Evo Stik Southern League Division One South and West in December.

Manager Paul Collicutt said: “Joe is out for the season and it might be a bit longer than that to be honest.

“He has got an operation booked for early February, so it is just a case of biding his time and getting himself right physically and mentally to go through with it.

“But at least he has got peace of mind now he knows what is up with the knee.

“Hopefully we can get him back for next season.”

Since joining Evesham last summer, ex-Cinderford Town ace Turley quickly established himself in the team, making 21 appearances.

However, his season came to an abrupt end when he was carried off on a stretcher in the second half of United’s 2-1 victory at Didcot.

Collicutt added: “Joe did the injury on a Tuesday night against Didcot. He just slipped and his knee went.

“He was not involved in a tackle, it just went and it turned out to be a very nasty injury.”

Second-placed Evesham take on mid-table North Leigh at the Jubilee Stadium today (3pm).