Herne Bay boss Steve Lovell says midfielder Kane Haysman’s foot injury not as bad as first feared after coming off in weekend 4-1 defeat at AFC Croydon Athletic

Manager Steve Lovell has confirmed Herne Bay midfielder Kane Haysman’s injury is not as bad as first feared.

Haysman was rushed to hospital after he sustained an injury during last weekend’s 4-1 Isthmian South East defeat at in-form AFC Croydon Athletic when he struck a defender with his follow through as he attempted to shoot.

But Lovell expects to be without the 29-year-old, who has seven goals this term, for weeks rather than months.

“He’s all right,” he said. “Nothing is broken, I think it just hit an artery in his foot.

“He was really bleeding from where he just kicked the fella’s studs. Kane will be out for a couple of weeks but, hopefully, he will be back after that.

“That’s good because he’s definitely a player that we miss.”

Mid-table Bay’s squad have been depleted in recent weeks. Captain Liam Friend only returned for Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw against Hythe while young defender Frankie Smith and experienced midfielder Mo Kamara also have been absent.

Lovell said: “If people are out for two or three weeks, we cannot just rely on our youngsters.

“We’re looking around to see what we can bring in but it’s got to be right for us.

“We have got some tough games coming up - we have got Ramsgate twice and Broadbridge Heath away this month - but that will be a good experience for the players and the club. We’re on a learning curve and we want to build foundations for the future.

“If we can do that this year, I’m sure that will put us in a good position.”

Midfielder Ethan Smith gave Bay a half-time lead at Winch’s Field in midweek, only for the home team to be pegged back.

“We played really well in the first half,” reflected Lovell. “We dominated after the first 10 minutes. They started well but we picked up after that and,