Newmarket Town's leading goalscorer Lewis Whitehead sidelined by knee injury suffered against Mulbarton Wanderers

Newmarket Town have been rocked by the news that leading goalscorer Lewis Whitehead will play no further part this season.

The striker, who has scored 16 goals in 36 appearances this term, was forced off with a knee injury during Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Mulbarton Wanderers in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.

The extent of the damage is not yet known, but Whitehead has been ruled out of the remainder of the campaign, which means he will miss Tuesday evening’s League Challenge Cup semi-final at Lakenheath (7.45pm).

Player-boss Michael Shinn said: “It’s a disaster for us but also for Lewis personally. We think it’s a LCL (lateral collateral ligament) injury but there is still a lot of swelling and so we won’t know until that goes down and he can get it checked out.

“I was close to him on the pitch when it happened and there was a definite pop, but hopefully it’s just a case of him resting up for a couple of months and then being ready for the start of next season.

“He’s been in great form and he’s a really good lad so for him to miss out on the rest of the season and a big semi-final is a blow for us.”

Meanwhile, Whitehead posted on Twitter: “And that’s my season over then! Thanks everyone, including @MulbartonFC management for the help today. Not sure on the damage but something popped on LCL side of my knee. Hope my scream didn’t hurt too many ears for people watching! Hopefully not as bad as I first feared.”

Newmarket recovered from the early loss of Whitehead to lead 1-0 through Ally Conway at half-time against Mulbarton, only to ship three goals without reply after the restart, with manager Shinn also being red carded.

And that was followed on Easter Monday by a 2-0 defeat on the road at Walsham-le-Willows.

Young forward Jamie Smith did the damage for the home side with a brace that leaves Shinn’s side sitting 12th in the table.

* For a preview to Newmarket's upcoming semi-final against Lakenheath, see www.suffolknews/sport from 8am tomorrow (April 13).