Influential defender Robson was stretchered off in the 2-1 West Sussex derby defeat at Chichester City in the Isthmian premier division on Bank Holiday Monday.

It remains unclear exactly how he sustained his injury on 75 minutes but his leg looked to buckle badly on the 4G pitch at Oaklands Park.

Fears surfaced immediately that it was a serious injury and those concerns were seemingly justified after scans revealed Robson, 33, has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and in the process broken a bone in his knee too.

Now manager Robbie Blake faces a campaign without the vastly experienced defensive lynchpin, who has played for the Rocks more than 270 times in two stints with the club.

Blake said: “It’s devastating news for Robbo first and foremost and for the club too. He has been so important for us and we really feel for him. Not only is he a brilliant footballer, he is a great bloke and so influential for us both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

“As a club we are going to do all we can to help him with his recovery and treatment plan although it will be many, many months before he can even think about playing.”

Blake has brought in defensive cover in the shape of Delwin Duah and Essa Janneh and both are in consideration for the home game against Wingate & Finchley on Saturday.

Likely still missing for the fixture will be injured quartet Spencer Spurway, Tommy Block, Lucas Pattenden and Ben Anderson. Blake says his players must roll up their sleeves and get on with the job in hand as they look to kick-start their league campaign after a miserable start which sees them second from bottom of the table.

Blake added: “That’s football and as much as the injuries are hurting us, we mustn’t feel sorry for ourselves and we have an obligation to rally and get our season back on track and we have a chance of doing that against Wingate & Finchley.”

Picture: Lyn & Trev