Sittingbourne defender Michael Turner facing six months out with triple leg break and dislocated ankle

Sittingbourne defender Michael Turner is facing at least six months out after a horror injury.

Turner suffered a triple leg break and a dislocated ankle during the Brickies’ 2-0 home win against East Grinstead on Saturday.

The centre-half appeared to get his studs caught in the ground as he prepared to make a challenge late in the first half.

“It’s one of the worst injuries I’ve seen or been involved in as a player or a manager,” said Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell.

“It was a real bad one. I heard something from across the pitch so right away we knew. Within 20 seconds, I told my assistant to phone the ambulance.”

It will be a long road back for Turner, who joined the Brickies on dual-registration from Romford before Christmas.

But the club will support him all the way and he can count on advice from Maxwell, who overcame a triple leg break himself during his playing days.

“He was going to challenge and it looked like he caught his studs,” said Maxwell.

“It looked like he was going to make the tackle and suddenly he didn’t and was in agony.

“It was a horrible scenario but he took it well, I must say.

“He showed real strength of character and resolve but I’m gutted for him because he’s only just started playing at this level and I’ve said to him and the players he was going to play at least another level up next year.

“It’s a six-month injury, at best, I would think. That’s what we’ve estimated.

“Strangely, I’ve had it myself. I had a triple break in my left shin in my 30s and I came back and played at Step 4 for Ware.

“I remember rehab. It was a long journey but I was in my 30s, whereas Michael’s 23/24 and he’ll heal better and quicker than I did. He’ll come back, it’s just a case of when.

“The road to recovery is a long one