Ashford United manager Kevin Watson speaks of the support for injured midfielder Adem Ramadan following double leg break

Adem Ramadan has a big support network around him as he begins the long road to recovery from a double leg break.

Ashford midfielder Ramadan, 27, suffered the injury during the second half of their Kent derby at Hythe on Monday, and is set to undergo surgery.

He’s been inundated with messages from well-wishers, while his club, along with friends and family, have rallied round.

A gofundme page has also been set up by fans to help Ramadan, a self-employed electrician, while he’s unable to work.

It raised £1,000 in a matter of hours and is well on the way to its £4,000 target. You can donate by clicking here.

“He’s coming to terms with what’s happened,” said Ashford manager Kevin Watson, who brought Ramadan back to Homelands this summer.

“He wants to get it sorted in the sense we expect they’ll have to operate, so the sooner that happens, he can start his recovery.

“He’s a lovely guy and it’s testament to him the number of messages he’s had from the football community.

“We as a management team haven’t been working with him that long but even in that short time he’s made his mark.

“We’re gutted and so disappointed for him because he’d worked incredibly hard to get fit and back to a really good standard of football. What’s happened has happened and we’ve just got to look forward and support him.

“I always say in the short period of time after these events, you get lots of messages.

“But it’s maybe a couple of months down the line, the phone doesn’t ring as much and that’s probably where he needs support from those closest to him the most.

“He’s a genuinely lovely person and I think that’s shown.

“I wish people liked me as much as they like him!

“He’s an absolute diamond of a lad, really enthusiastic and he loves his football.