Stamford AFC midfielder Harry Vince needs an operation and is likely to miss the rest of the season
Stamford have been struck by a major injury setback after influential midfielder Harry Vince looks set to be ruled out for the rest of the season.
Vince went off injured in the home defeat against Bedford Town last month and scans have now revealed damage to the medial collateral ligament as well as a meniscus tear in his knee.
The former Boston United and Matlock player has been a key figure for Stamford since joining the club ahead of the 2019 season.
He was an integral part of the side that won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division Central but will now need an operation which will mean a sustained spell on the sidelines.
Stamford boss Graham Drury said: "It's a massive blow and I really feel for Vinno because he's played so many games on the trot for us without an injury.
"He's devastated about it and it's a really frustrating period for us at the moment."
Vince has been joined on an ever-increasing injury list by defender James Blunden who has missed the last couple of games with a groin problem.
Stamford's woes have been further compounded ahead of this weekend's trip to Lowestoft Town with suspensions for both George Hobbins and Joe Burgess.
Hobbins was sent off after collecting two cautions in Saturday's defeat at Redditch United when Stamford went down to a 2-1 away loss after conceding the winning goal in injury-time.
It was the fourth time this season that the Daniels have been hit by a late blow after last-gasp losses to Carlton Town, Banbury and Bedford.
But, with the amount of injury-time on the rise in games this season, Drury feels it is something that is affecting every team.
He commented: "We're getting seven, eight or nine minutes of injury time now so it's not like it's in the 90th minute like it used to be.
"Every team is getting it and, although it is frustrating, we're still in a half decent position.
"Going down to 10 men on Saturday probably killed us in the end against a side that was really pushing but I was a bit frustrated.
"I had shouted in a phase before to tighten up because the gaps were getting a bit wide and we had to just deal with the crosses coming in.
"We'd had a scare just before and, then after I shouted it, we parted like the waves for a free header from six yards out so I was fuming."
Stamford had taken the lead through Jack Duffy and it needed a string of fine saves from home goalkeeper Callum Smith to prevent the Daniels from increasing their advantage.
George Atwal got the hosts back on level terms before Alex Cameron came off the substitutes' bench to head home the winner and ensure a triumphant return to the Redditch helm for boss Matt Clarke who has replaced the Alvechurch-bound Tim Flowers.
Drury added: "We perhaps should have been three goals up at half-time but that has been the story of our season.
"Their keeper has then made an absolute worldie from Jack Duffy else it would have been at least 2-0.
"They put all the pressure on us after the sending off and, with the old manager coming back, it definitely gave them a lift.
"The lad who got the winning goal hadn't scored all season because he hadn't been playing but Matty had obviously managed him before and put his trust in him and he repaid him with the winner."
