ST MARTIN’S hopes of a first ‘Upton’ appearance in six seasons have taken a massive hit before a ball is even kicked.
Ben Coulter, their midfield enforcer and hottest young talent, is set to undergo knee surgery and miss most of the forthcoming season.
Coulter, 20 (pictured), missed Guernsey’s final two matches in Aland after his problem left knee collapsed on him in the dying moments of their group clash against Froya.
On his first full day back on the island, the midfielder painted a bleak picture of his immediate playing prospects.
‘It’s gone again and I’m going to have to get it sorted,’ said last season’s Division One player-of-the-year and players’ player runner-up.
‘I’m going to have an op and see Dr [Ranjan] Vhadra. It’s going to keep me out for six to nine months, that’s the normal time schedule.’
Coulter, who had been lined up to have a short spell with Hartlepool United in the coming season, is resigned to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
‘It wasn’t definitely confirmed, but obviously I won’t be going now. It’s really disappointing that I won’t be able to go now. I was looking forward to the experience.
‘Tony Vance and ‘Fal’ have said that I should look at the bigger picture and get it sorted out.’
Knee problems are nothing new to the player.
He has previously had a cartilage removed, but for some time part of the cruciate in his left knee has been torn and not been repaired.
‘It will suddenly give way and swell up double in size.’
Coulter said the injury flared up again in the 92nd minute against Froya.
‘It was pretty much the last kick of the game.
‘I jarred my left knee landing.
‘I sat on the bench for the Jersey game and was working hard with Mike Thomas [the physio], but I had no chance of playing really.’
But now he faces watching Saints, where he has really developed under the guidance of Colin Fallaize, challenge for the Division One title and the various cups without him.
‘It would have been my third year [with Saints] and our best chance of winning the league.
‘It may be that I will be able to play at the end of the season, but I will definitely miss the under-21 Muratti.’
Fallaize said that Saints’ loss was not the point.
‘He’s the important thing in this.
‘All I’ve got interest in is Ben Coulter getting 100% fit,’ said the former player who has endured two knee replacements as a result of the wears and tears of his own career.
Article posted on 7th July, 2009 - 2.30pm
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