A Chatham Town player will be on medication for the rest of his life after having his spleen removed following a horrific injury.

Defender Corey Holder suffered the bizarre injury at Romford as Chatham drew 2-2 in their Ryman League match.

It is thought his own elbow went into his side after an innocuous challenge during the match. He went to Darent Valley Hospital where the severity of the injury was then realised and his spleen ruptured.

He will miss Saturday's big clash against St Albans in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup - the furthest the club has got in the competition for 81 years.

But the club is confident he will be back playing by the end of the season.

Chatham boss Kevin Watson praised the efforts of those involved for taking swift action following the incident on Wednesday night.

He said: "Their physio was excellent, as were others at the club, and it could have been a lot worse had people not responded properly.

"We knew it was serious as he doesn't usually like to come off, but we assumed it was a cracked rib or just severe bruising.

"It's an injury that can be overcome and we are confident he will play again this season but it will be a long road back.

"We're hoping to have him with us on the sidelines for the FA up game at the weekend – that will be a great morale boost for us."