POOLE Town talent Luke Roberts is set for another extended spell on the sidelines after tearing the same ligament in his knee which saw him miss the whole of last season.

Roberts was forced off just before half-time in Dolphins' Southern League South clash against Basingstoke on April 13.

A statement released by Poole confirmed the former AFC Totton forward had damaged the same anterior cruciate ligament as he did in a pre-season friendly against Weymouth in 2017.

Dolphins chairman Chris Reeves says Roberts is "completely distraught" and could face up to another 12 months out once he undergoes an operation.

Reeves said: "He had fought his way back to fitness after a long period of rehabilitation and has recently been producing some of the magical moments of skill which we all know he possesses and which we have all missed so much during his absence.

"There is no way that we would have been relegated last season had Luke been fit and had he been available to us throughout this season we would certainly have challenged Weymouth for the league title – of that there can be no doubt.

"I am hoping very much that the wave of warmth and support that he has received from his teammates and others within the Club will inspire him to grit his teeth and come back from this latest dreadful setback all the stronger.

"The club is currently investigating a number of avenues in an effort to get Luke back onto the path to recovery at the earliest opportunity."

Reports of Roberts's injury plight was announced by the club ahead of tomorrow's Southern League South play-off semi-final at Taunton (7.45pm).