Captain Kane Smith looks set to miss the rest of Deal’s season. Defender Smith was forced off in Saturday’s 3-0 Southern Counties East Premier Division home win over Tunbridge Wells for the in-form Hoops. “Unfortunately, it looks like Kane is done for the season with a groin injury,” said boss Steve King, whose team are due to host Fisher tonight. “With only three weeks left in the season, we’re still assessing it, but he certainly won’t be fit for Tuesday.” While King didn’t completely rule out Smith returning for their Kent Intermediate Cup Final against Punjab on April 16, the signs don’t look particularly good.
He said: “He has been outstanding. He’s a brilliant leader. “He’s not the loudest, he’s not a shouty type, but he leads by example. “He will be very important.
We’re not a club where players get injured and you don’t see that player for a while. “Plus, we have Alfie Foster - who is an outstanding centre-half - so he’s not a bad replacement. “But we’re all gutted for Kane.
We’re still hoping he might make the Final but it's a two-week turnaround.” It’s 15 matches without defeat for Deal, who were put ahead early against Tunbridge Wells by right-back Joe Reeves before frontman Aaron Millbank bagged a brace.