BASHLEY central defender Gary Middleton could be sidelined until after Christmas through injury.

He limped out of their 1-1 draw at Rugby on Saturday after aggravating a knee problem.

And the New Forest club's boss Steve Riley fears the player could be out until January, thereby missing the crucial Christmas and New Year period.

Riley, whose side visit Brackley in the BGB Southern League Premier Division tonight (7.45pm), said: "We will get a specialist to have a look at Gary's knee and clear it up.

"He had been out for about a month but had then played a couple of reserve games without any problems so we brought him in at Rugby.

"But he caught his studs in the ground after only two minutes and twisted his knee again.

"It was innocuous, which is why he is so disappointed."

Riley added: "We haven't seen the best of Gary yet. He is 22 and young enough to get back from this injury.

"Gary has lots of football confidence in him and we will get him back.

"We will assess his injury this week and go from there."

Midfielder Paul Gazzard returns from suspension for sixth-placed Bash as they go into their clash against fellow high-riders Brackley.

But striker Justin Keeler, a non-playing substitute at Rugby, is deemed only "50-50" by Riley as he tries to come back from an ankle injury.

Bash go into the fixture with a 10-game unbeaten league run behind them, while fourth-placed Brackley, defeated 1-0 at Mangotsfield on Saturday, have lost four in a row.

Bashley: (from) Elm, Hill, Ferrett, Castle, Keeping, Tarr, Davis, Town, Gillespie, Wakefield, Riley, Moss, Harper, Gazzard, Blackmore, Keeler.