Injured Ashford midfielder Adem Ramadan hopes to be training by the end of the season after learning his broken leg will heal without surgery.

Ramadan has been sidelined since suffering a double break during the Nuts & Bolts’ abandoned Isthmian South East game at Hythe at the end of August.

He’s been told to start putting some weight on the leg, to aid the healing process, after weekly X-rays confirmed surgery won’t be required.

“I’ve avoided surgery, so it won’t be as long a rehab as it might have been,” said Ramadan.

“Rather than a year and a bit out, it might be nine months or just under, so it’s a bit more positive in terms of no surgery.

“I’m hoping to be able to train with the team by the end of the season, probably April time, and then playing next season.

“They’ve given me the worst-case scenario so rather than telling me six months and I’m back in nine, they’ve given me nine months and if I’m back sooner, that’s a positive.

“Now I know I don’t need to have surgery, I’ve got a date I can look towards.

“The cast comes off in December and then I can start strengthening the leg.

“Looking at my leg now, I’ve got nothing to it - all the muscle has gone completely.”

Ramadan was injured in a 50:50 challenge with Hythe midfielder and former Herne Bay team-mate Brad Schafer.

In a freak accident, the Ashford man missed the ball and caught the bottom of Schafer’s knee, causing the injury.

He’s found it hard to watch football since, as much as he wants to be around his team-mates.

“I went to watch training the other day and someone went in for a 50:50 and I sort of squirmed,” said Ramadan.

“I know nothing’s going to happen but when I see a 50:50 it makes me feel a bit squeamish, if that makes sense.

“That’s something I’m going to have to get over.

“Where it’s happened to me, even when I’m watching a Premier League game and there’s a 50:50, I’m like, ‘Oh no’.

“It makes your stomach turn but I have to deal with it.

“The fella I caught, he’s my mate. I played with Brad Schafer at Herne Bay.

“He didn’t do anything, so it’s not like I’ve got anyone to blame. It’s just one of those things.

“There was no malice, no intent, it was just a freak accident.”

Ramadan, a self-employed electrician, is still unable to work.

He took out injury insurance when buying his flat in June but receives no payments for the first three months.

So he’s hugely grateful to everyone who donated to an online fundraiser, set up by fans of Ashford United.

The page has raised almost £5,000.

“It’s a massive help,” said Ramadan.

“I’ve managed to get along to a few matches so I’ve been able to thank people in person.

“It’s a tight-knit club but it’s not just Ashford, it’s the football community who have put in.

“There’s people I don’t even know who have thrown money towards it.

“People have gone above and beyond to help me.

“I’ll never be able to thank them enough.

“Where I’m an electrician, I can’t work with a cast and I can’t drive at the moment.

“The cast comes off in mid-to-late December and then I’ll need to strengthen the leg.

“I won’t be able to walk properly at first so I can’t go back to work straight away.

“I’m looking at February/March, which is a bit of a pain, but you’ve got to roll with the punches.

“Half of my team, other than a few boys who work up town, have trades and are self-employed.

“When you’re younger, you don’t think about having a job until you realise you need one.

“Most of us don’t go to university because you put all your eggs in one basket trying to be a footballer.

“I do have insurance - I’d advise everyone to get it - but mine doesn’t pay out until three or four months with no pay.”

Danny Parish’s penalty and a last-minute Lewis Knight goal saw Ashford twice come from behind to draw the rearranged match at Hythe 2-2 on Tuesday night.

The Nuts & Bolts visit Beaconsfield in the FA Trophy Final Qualifying Round this Saturday (3pm).