Dartford defender Connor Essam awaiting results of scan as ankle injury threatens to end his season

Dartford’s Connor Essam is waiting to find out if his season has been cut short by injury.

The 29-year-old has been a cornerstone of Dartford’s success in National League South alongside captain Tom Bonner in defence.

But the centre-back spent last Tuesday night at Darent Valley Hospital after picking up an ankle injury at training.

“It was a bit of a freak one,” explained Essam. “No one was anywhere near me, I planted my foot to turn direction and my ankle gave way.

“You think of the physical battles I’ve had in the league this season on the pitch and there’s not a scratch on me - and then that happens.

“We don’t know how bad it is yet, to be honest.

“I did it last Tuesday and there’s nothing we can do until the swelling goes down.

“It ballooned up immediately and I went straight to A&E for an X-ray but there’s no break which is a good thing.

“Now I’m resting and putting ice on it constantly to get the swelling down, and hopefully I can get a scan done later this week.”

Essam, who has started 30 games for Dartford this season, doesn’t yet know if his campaign is over.

At the back of his mind is the concern that it’s the same ankle he damaged in 2015, but he’s remaining positive until someone tells him otherwise.

“I’m as much in the dark as everyone else,” said Essam, when asked about a potential timeframe.

“I’m trying to stay positive so I don’t want to rule myself out for the season but you have to be realistic.

“I’ll be doing everything that I can in terms of recovery and rehab if there is a chance I can get back.

“I had an injury on the ankle in 2015 when I ruptured my ligament but the diagnosis then was not to have surgery.

“I want to get back as quickly as possible but you don’t know the potential damage you could