Margate have suffered a major blow with the news that summer signing Alex Flisher is out for the season.

Flisher joined from Maidstone for an undisclosed fee in June but damaged his anterior cruciate ligament during stoppage time in the Gate's WW Martin Thanet Cup match against Ramgsate at Southwood on August 4.

The injury is serious enough to rule him out for the whole of Gate's 2017/18 Bostik Premier campaign and boss Steve Watt says the midfielder will be a huge loss.

He said: “Losing Alex for the season is a massive blow to what we want to achieve. Alex will come back stronger and we will do all we can to support him in his recovery.

“Not only is 'Flish' a massive influence on the pitch but also off it and I am sure that his leadership skills off the field will be just as important this season."

Flisher was transfer-listed by Maidstone after rejecting a new deal at the Gallagher. The 25-year-old played 275 times for the Stones, after making his debut in 2009.