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Halesowen Town's promotion push has been dealt a major blow after popular winger Shane Paul suffered a broken leg in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Banbury United.

The former Aston Villa and Scunthorpe United wide-man suffered a double break following a challenge from Banbury's Greg Williams after only two minutes.

The 21-year-old who has found the net eight times for the Yeltz since his arrival at the Grove last summer was rushed to Russells Hall Hospital where he underwent surgery.

Manager Morell Maison and his squad were left distraught by the incident.

Maison said: "It's devestating for the lad and the injury had a real effect on the players.

"Shane is not just a team-mate to many but also a good friend so a number of them were quite badly affected.

"It's real pity for Shane because he's such a bubbly lad both on and off the pitch and he will be a big miss to us.

"He's now at home recovering after having his leg pinned in two places but he will not be able to start running for at least five months so I would imagine we are looking at him being out for around a year."

The loss of Paul plus the defeat meant it was an awful day at the office for the Yeltz who let a chance of moving top of the table slip through their fingers with fellow title-chasers Team Bath losing and Kings Lynn drawing.

With strikers Zema Abbey (ankle) and Dean Brennan (hamstring) struggling for fitness, Maison is hopeful of having re-inforcements on board in-time for Saturday's trip to Cirencenster Town.

The manager is chasing three un-named targets and is confident of having at least one of them by the weekend.

The Yeltz are at home next Tuesday (7.45pm kick-off) for the re-arranged fixture with Gloucester City and will be hoping it is third time lucky.

The game was originally abandoned at half-time before having the game postponed at the second time of asking due to a water-logged pitch Admission prices have been reduced for the match with adult tickets priced at £5 and juniors and OAP's gaining entrance for £2.

10:28am Thursday 6th March 2008

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