DETERMINED Scott Arnold vowed to do everything he could to return for Wimborne Town after fears over the severity of his knee injury became a reality.

Two weeks after being stretchered off against Tiverton Town, doctors told the Magpies talisman he had suffered the 'unhappy triad' – damage to the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and meniscus.

The 33-year-old is due to undergo a scan to further study the injury before he can book in for an operation.

Arnold told the Daily Echo: "The doctors told me to Google it but in simple terms it is a blown knee.

"It is the worst case you can dream of. Damaging one of the ligaments is bad enough. The cruciate is the worst one but to do three is terrible.

"I am desperate to get back. It is easier said than done but that is the aim.

"We have signed Carl Pettefer, who is 37 and I cannot be outdone by him at 33. I have plenty of time on my side.

"I get bored after one day stuck in the house, so after two weeks I have been going mad. I am desperate to get weight back on the leg and then I can get back to work on light duties.

"I do not want to finish my Wimborne career short of the most appearances in this way. I want to go out on a high."

The Magpies skipper, who has played more than 550 games for the club, returned after 10 months out with hip and ankle problems in 2017.

Since sustaining the knee injury, Arnold has been to every Wimborne game despite admitting he is a terrible spectator.

"There is nothing worse than watching," he said.

"I hate not being able to play but watching the team keeps me involved and interested. I don't want to disappear into the background.

"I told the lads when I left that we were not in the relegation zone and they had better stay out of it.

"The players did a collection for me, which I did not expect at all. They understand I am self-employed and cannot work, so they all chipped in, which was a great gesture."

Matty Holmes's side sit one point and one spot above the Southern League South drop zone.

Magpies travel to 13th-place Walton Casuals tomorrow (7.45pm) hoping to claim their first away league win of the campaign.

"This season is a fight for survival and the Christmas period is going to be massive," said Arnold. "The teams below us are picking up results so it is going to be a big ask to put a run together to stay in the league.

"I am desperate for us to do it. I am gutted I cannot play my part but it is out of my hands. I will be there as much as I can to support the boys.

“If we start picking up a few results on the road we will not be too far away because our home record is great. We just need to improve our away form.”