DORCHESTER will be without skipper Matt Lonnon for the rest of the season after he suffered "the worst knee injury possible."

Lonnon, who underwent micro-surgery on his left knee during the summer, will be back in the Winterbourne Hospital next Monday for an operation to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and torn cartilage he suffered when he was caught by a tackle in the Magpies' FA Cup tie at Porthleven.

Club physio Geoff Dine's worst fears were confirmed when Lonnon saw a specialist for an expert assessment of the scan he underwent last week.

"It's difficult to imagine a more serious knee injury," said Dine today. "It means an operation to re-build the knee and then a long rehabilitation programme. It will be at least three months before Matt can even start jogging again and in all he will be out for around nine months."

Magpies manager Mark Morris said the loss of his captain was a big set-back.

"He's a strong character on the field and in the dressing room," said Morris.

"Though he sometimes take some stick from the crowd if he misplaces a pass or something like that, he never shirks his responsibilities and we will miss his influence."