WEYMOUTH have suffered a monumental blow before the start of the season with playmaker Chris Shephard revealing to Echosport he his “99 per cent sure” he will miss the beginning of the campaign.

Shephard, who got married in the off season after penning a new one-year contract with the Terras on the final day of last term, suffered a freak accident which caused damage to his knee and ankle while celebrating tying the knot.

“I was on my honeymoon in Bali and they had a rope swing at the hotel that went over the swimming pool,” the former Exeter City man explained.

“I climbed the ladder to go on it and, as I went on it, it snapped.

“There was a guy who used it two minutes before me and the day before there was a big Austrian guy who was well over six foot using it with no problem. Somehow it snapped when I went on it.

“I am 99 per cent sure I am going to missing the start of the season. For how long, I’m not sure yet, but fingers crossed it’s not too bad.”

The Terras’ ace, who scooped a host of awards at the club’s end of season presentation evening for his performances last term, was on crutches for around three weeks and will wait until July 30 for further information.

He added: “There is definitely ankle ligament damage and I’m not sure about my knee at the moment.

“I had an operation on the same knee when I was 19 but it’s a little bit looser than my other knee anyway.

“Soph (Sheppard, club physio) has done a couple of tests on it and there is more give in it.

“Until I have the scans I won’t know the full extent of the damage but the progress I'm making is fairly positive.

“I am just hoping it’s not too bad and that I will be back in September time.”

While the Terras, who take on Portland United in a pre-season friendly at Grove Corner this evening (7.30pm), will be doing everything they can to get their key man back to full fitness, Shephard admits he has been lifted by the support the the club has given him following his injury setback.

“I’m not in a great position to be honest but with the club and everyone behind me it makes it a lot easier,” he said.

“At the back of your mind you know that everyone is training, playing and getting ahead of you.

“All I want to do is get out there, get fit, and kick on from where I left off last season.

"It’s frustrating when you aren’t playing but the lads are brilliant and it was nice to get down (to watch against Yate on Saturday) and be in amongst it.

“I showed my loyalty and my passion for the club and they have acknowledged that and looked after me.

“Like I try my best on a Saturday, they are trying their best off the pitch now which is all I can ask for.”

  • Meanwhile, Terras' player-manager Jason Matthews has revealed to Echosport that he is holding talks to add an unnamed striker to his squad.