Herne Bay have suffered a blow with new signing Calum McGeehan ruled out with a knee injury.

The former Winch’s Field defender returned last week following a spell at Lordswood but his latest debut in the 1-0 Ryman League, Division 1 South defeat at Horsham on Saturday lasted only five minutes.

Assistant manager Gavin Theze said: “Calum went up for a header and felt something pop. He was at the game against Corinthian Casuals on Tuesday and the knee was still swollen. He has done the same thing before and I don’t think he’ll play again this season.”

The 2-1 defeat against Casuals means tonight’s game against Crawley Down Gatwick takes on even more importance.

The Sussex strugglers, with former Bay goalkeeper John Maggs back in charge for a second spell, ended a poor run with a 2-1 win at Walton & Hersham on Tuesday – their first victory this year. Bay drew 3-3 there in October.

Theze said: “It’s a massive game for us. All the clubs at the bottom are scrapping, new managers are coming in and signing new players before the deadline. We weren’t in a position to do that.”

“Sam (Denly) and I want to get to 50 points as quickly as possible. We wanted three against Casuals but didn’t get them, so now want to get them against Crawley.”

Reflecting on the Casuals defeat, he added: “A bit of a pattern is emerging with our poor second-half performances but the boys are suffering having played so many games. The midfield three were out on their feet on Tuesday but we have got to go again on Thursday and then go to Leatherhead on Saturday."