Ebbsfleet striker Darren McQueen has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old striker has been sidelined since the 2-0 win over FC Halifax at the end of September at Stonebridge Road.

But the knee injury picked up during that game now means the England c striker is expected to miss the rest of the campaign.

“It’s the worst possible news,” Fleet manager McMahon told the club's website.

“He’s likely to miss the rest of the season now. It’s a massive blow for us and for him as he was looking to make leaps in this league.

"But we’ll rally round him as a club as we do, support him, keep his chin up. There’s lads in that changing room who have been out for the same time and we know Darren will come back stronger.”

McQueen is the third Fleet striker in the past year to pick up a serious injury. Aaron McLean missed most of the promotion-winning campaign through injury and Bradley Bubb has been sidelined since the end of last season.

McQueen has scored three goals in 13 league outings for the Fleet this season.