Aiden Palmer’s knee injury has flared up again and he faces an anxious wait to find out his prognosis for the rest of his season.

The 28-year-old full-back has played just 45 minutes for the Fleet this season as he continues to battle with a career-threatening problem.

Palmer, who has arthritis and cartilage damage, broke down in training recently and is the latest Ebbsfleet player to have been referred to world-class knee surgeon Andy Williams.

Fleet boss Daryl McMahon confirmed: "He’s got more problems with his knee and he sees the specialist on December 20.

"He’s had a tough time all season and we’ll know more when he has some scans on it.

"He’s got a chronic injury, a deteriorating injury he’s got on his knee and we’re just trying to manage it for him. That’s why you probably see him some weeks and don’t see him other weeks.

"He doesn’t train every day so he’s probably got a similar sort of situation to Ledley King.

"We’re going to try to get him as fit as we can but it’s difficult. We haven’t got the facilities Tottenham have, to go and get him swimming every day.

"But he’s a great lad. I’ve known Aiden since he was 16 years old at Leyton Orient and we’ll do the best by the kid."

Palmer has made 79 appearances for Ebbsfleet since joining the club in 2013, scoring five goals.