Dover Athletic boss Jake Leberl fears Bailey Akehurst’s season is over after left-back sustains knee injury in warm-up ahead of 1-0 National League South loss at Torquay United

There are fears Dover left-back Bailey Akehurst’s season is over.

Akehurst sustained a nasty knee injury in the warm-up ahead of their 1-0 defeat at promotion-chasing National League South side Torquay last weekend.

While the 20-year-old’s injury diagnosis hasn’t been confirmed, the early signs are not good, with Akehurst previously damaging knee ligaments on loan at Hastings from Gillingham in August 2022.

Manager Jake Leberl said: “I would be shocked if he plays again this season, to be honest.

“But, obviously, it needs to be assessed. He feels it’s what he had done before so that’s a long-term one.

“We will just have to wait.”

Akehurst was replaced in basement boys Dover’s starting line-up by Peter Ojemen at Torquay. But Akehurst’s dead-ball deliveries will prove a miss, as well as his defensive capabilities.

Leberl said: “It’s a blow - for his set-piece deliveries and general deliveries, as well as his defending.

“It looked like a nasty one, as well. Everyone is really upset for him.

“Unfortunately, that’s part and parcel of football. But Peter will come in and he’s a strong defender.”

Akehurst himself reacted to well-wishers on social media, writing: “Thank you to all the staff!

“[I] appreciate the help.”

Whites had kept Gary Johnson’s troops at bay until a stunning long-range goal from midfielder Brett McGavin on the hour mark.

Leberl, whose side are still some 12 points adrift of safety, reflected: “I was relatively pleased, to be honest.

“They have got the second-best record at home in the league. They’re a big club, have a big budget and have got good players.

“Everything went the way we wanted it to go and their fans were calling for the manager’s (Johnson’s) head at half-time. Their lad (McGavin) slapped one