AFC Sudbury have been rocked by the news that skipper Sam Clarke is not expected to return to action until Christmas at the earliest.

Clarke, who broke his right arm in the match away to Harlow Town on August 27, had expected to be given the all-clear to return to action when he went back to hospital this week.

But the central midfielder has been told he must keep the arm in a brace for a further six weeks before he starts his rehabilitation.

Clarke, who is staying involved by attending training sessions and matches, said: “Some calcium has formed around the bone and there is still a crack on the bone, so I have got to spend another six weeks in the brace.

“When that comes off on November 19 I will have to build up the shoulder muscles and arm muscles around the bone which will be another four weeks of rehabilitation, so my target is to be fit around Christmas or New Year.”

The 25-year-old recalled the innocuous incident that saw him sustain the injury in the 2-1 Bank Holiday Monday win.

“The ball bounced and we both went up for the header, but their player backed into me and I came down on my elbow. It was a clean break.

“It was only the fourth game of the season, so it is very frustrating, but injuries are part and parcel of football and this is my first serious injury.”

Clarke, who previously played for Great Wakering and Maldon & Tiptree before signing for Sudbury five years ago, is a self-employed electrician and has been unable to work since suffering the injury.