Chatham defender Corey Holder is back less than two months after having his spleen removed.

The 22-year-old was initially expected to be out for the season after suffering a freak injury during Chatham’s 2-2 draw with Romford in mid-October.

Holder had major surgery after rupturing his spleen when landing awkwardly. He now has to take daily medication.

But despite the nature of the injury, he was on the bench for Chatham on Tuesday night, during their 2-0 Ryman League Cup win over Sittingbourne.

“It is incredible that he is back so soon,” said Chatham boss Kevin Watson. “Because he is young and athletic, his recovery time has been a lot quicker than your average person. He’s been training for a few weeks and coming to games doing the warm-ups. He will be on the bench again this weekend.”

Watson won’t, however, be rushing him straight back.

“If it was up to him he would have played on Tuesday night,” said Watson. "But I have to keep his best interests and longevity in mind and we won’t be rushing him back into the team.”

Next up for Chatham is a home game against Redbridge on Saturday.They will be without teenager Taylor McDonagh, as he is playing for Kent under-18s, while Ada Yusuff is back available, after being cup-tied in midweek.