Gazette Sport

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Bad break, Lewis

By Dan Barnes

9:00am Friday 27th January 2012

STRICKEN striker Lewis Powell is cursing his luck after breaking his left leg for the second time in his career, ruling him out for the rest of Chippenham Town’s season.

Powell, who turned 22 earlier this month, broke his fibula less than a minute into Town’s draw with Cambridge City on Saturday and was due to find out today if he needed an operation to repair the damage.

The striker, who recently netted 10 goals in six games, broke the same leg playing for Bristol Rovers’ youth team as a 17-year-old and knew straight away that the latest injury was serious.

“I heard the crack and my leg went numb straight away so I knew what had happened. It’s one of those things you know can happen in football but just hope doesn’t,” said Powell.

“Because of the swelling, I’m due to go to my local hospital in Newport (today) to be assessed.

“The fibula is 20 per cent of your weight-bearing bone and hopefully it’s all in place so I won’t need an operation. Whatever happens, it’s all about making sure I do the right work when I can put weight on it again.

“When I was 17, I broke my tibia, fibula and my medial malleolus (ankle bone) turning for a shot.

“Back then, I was told that a few clubs were looking at me, so it’s just the kind of luck I seem to have with injuries.”

Powell, who lives in Caerphilly, South Wales, had begun working as a personal trainer and his business will also suffer as a result.

Bluebirds chief Adie Mings said: “He’s such a fantastic lad and he’s been on a great run of form. For something like that to happen, it’s a bit of a sickener.

“I’ve still got Alan Griffin and Dave Gilroy and Toby Osman can play up front so we’ve got options.

“We’ve enquired about a few people but we won’t rush out to get someone.”

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