TREVOR Senior has been left stunned by the news that Joe Charles will be out for up to a year due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 19-year-old was arguably Bridport’s brightest star last season and the fact his brother Sam is also out with a similar knee problem makes this latest development even more shocking.

Bees’ boss Senior said: “Joe has had some bad news about his knee.

“He injured it in the Easter Saturday game against Sherborne Town and apparently it is a problem with his anterior cruciate ligament, which will keep him out for the best part of a year.

“The fact we have now lost both him and his brother to two similar injuries is extremely unfortunate.

“Sam has had his operation and is progressing well. It is hoped he could be back around February but for Joe this news has been particularly hard for him to take after such a good first season with us.

“The good thing is he is still young but you cannot help but feel for him.

“He won our young player of the year award last season and was without doubt one of our brightest lights but the important thing now is that he tries to remain positive and I am sure his brother will help him in that regard. We continue to wish them both well and hope they are back with us as soon as possible.”

Bridport finished 14th in their first season back in the Toolstation Western Premier Division and Senior is busy looking for reinforcements to help his side improve on that next term.

He added: “On the plus side, Lewis Whyton and Alex Halloran have said they might come pre-season training with us, which would be fantastic.

“They are both great players, who have been at Portland United and Weymouth, and although they have said they are going to keep their options open, if we could get them both in it would be a massive boost.

“I am also speaking to another lad that has just moved down from Cheshire way. “He is a striker that at one time was at Northwich Victoria and is also keen to join us for pre-season.

“He actually came down to watch our final game of last season so that could be another encouraging sign, but we shall just have to wait and see how it develops.”