BOURNEMOUTH boss Will Croker admits Joe Rees is weeks away from fitness after sustaining a freak injury while surfing.

While Lions have made a flying start to the South West Premier campaign and are sitting pretty at the top of the standings, the loss of their talismanic skipper is being felt.

And Croker revealed how Rees’s injury had been sustained in one of the more unusual circumstances.

He told the Daily Echo: “Joe is not going to be available until probably mid-October after almost slicing off his toe in a freak surfing accident.

“It was bad luck. He was having a surfing lesson and caught his toe on the grip and it was sharp. It looks ghastly. He has had a really unlucky start to the season.”

Lions will aim to continue their fine form when they entertain Brixham at Chapel Gate on Saturday, opponents who have won two and lost two in the league this season.

Karim Lynch returns to the side and Mike Haines is set to make his debut but Mike Pope, Adam Davies, Dan Stewart, Grant Hancox and Ben Flett are unavailable.

The head coach added: "We want to try to get a bit of consistency in selection. While we have started well, I would like more consistency in key positions."