Mayhew injury a big blow to Suffolk

Nick Garnham

SUFFOLK have suffered a big blow to their hopes of FA County Youth Cup success this season.

Woodbridge Town striker Josh Mayhew underwent surgery yesterday after sustaining a serious injury last Saturday. Mayhew, who has scored six goals in Suffolk's three matches so far this season, was only playing in a club game because Suffolk's FA County Youth Cup third round tie against Worcestershire was postponed the day before due to a waterlogged pitch.

Andy Gould, the Suffolk manager, said: “He dislocated his knee but also suffered an internal injury and has chipped a bone. He will be out for some time but hopefully will be available later in the season. It is a cruel blow for him and a big blow for us.”

Gould has drafted Mayhew's Woodbridge team-mate Craig Jennings into his squad for tomorrow's rearranged tie at Bromsgrove Rovers' ground, kick-off 2pm.

“He is a different type of player to Josh - he is very strong and quick,” added Gould, who is hopeful that Leiston's Danny Morphew and Jemel Fox (Whitton United) will both recover from knocks in time.

The winners of tomorrow's tie have been drawn at home to the Isle of Man in the quarter-finals, which will take place early in the New Year.

Gould, who side won the cup last season for the second time in four years, said: “We are optimistic we can progress. Once you reach this stage of the competition you have got to be optimistic you can go all the way.”

Suffolk squad: Alex Steed, Elliot Hunter, Joe Boreham, Nick Pope (all Bury Town), Chris Gray (Stowmarket Town), Darryl Coakley (Cambridge Utd), David Kempson, Jack Severy, Stefan Marsh, Luke Ingram, Craig Jennings (all Woodbridge Town), James Bemment, Tarren Grint (both Kirkley & Pakefield), James Waters, Jemel Fox (both Whitton Utd), Joe Bloomfield (Felixstowe & Walton Utd), Ryan Clark (Needham Market), Danny Morphew (Leiston).