MIDFIELDER Lee Bowles suffered a serious leg injury as Shortwood’s Hellenic League Cup clash against Bishop’s Cleeve was abandoned on Saturday.

A challenge just before half-time left Bowles,21, with a broken ankle and ligament damage.

The former Cinderford Town and Brimscombe player had his leg set in plaster at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital last night and is due to have an operation later this week.

Cleeve led 2-0 at the time, with Lucas Price and Jack Watts on the scoresheet.

Shortwood are currently in the middle of a horrific injury crisis with striker Troy Budd breaking his arm last week. Captain Joe Tryner, Finlay Byrnes, Max Harper-Emerson, Joe Wilton, Guy Halliday,Tom Leonard and Ellis Harper all remain on the treatment table.

Shortwood coach Simon Blythe tweeted.