Saltash United will be without influential central defender Lewis Russell for the rest of the season, the club have confirmed.

Russell suffered a fractured jaw in the early stages of last Saturday’s South West Peninsula League premier division game against Newquay at Kimberley Stadium.

Saltash manager Matt Cusack said: ‘It’s a real shame for Lewis, as it is his second bad injury this season.’

Russell had only recently returned after fracturing his ankle in a Walter C Parson League Cup tie at Bere Alston on October 20.

The classy defender rejoined the Ashes last year after a spell with Bodmin Town.

Tomorrow, Saltash travel to Ivybridge Town in confident mood after three successive 4-0 victories.