Deal Town skipper Kane Smith likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season with groin injury sustained in 3-0 Southern Counties East Premier Division win over Tunbridge Wells

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.

King reflected: “It was one of our best performances of the season.

“Tunbridge Wells are a decent side and I think they’ve underachieved a little bit, to be fair. I think they’re probably a top-six side.

“So to keep a clean sheet, score three goals and win with a little bit of pressure on us - everyone knows we need to win every game - we were really pleased with the boys.

“That was a really big win.”

King also revealed he is related to Reeves as he praised the utility player's impact.

He said: “He has been