Eastbourne Borough are examining their options after Ben Austin was ruled out for the rest of the season.

The defender has been plagued by a chronic back problem all season and a scan has revealed he has two stress fractures to the spine.

Head coach Nick Greenwood said: "He is obviously very disappointed as we are to lose such an influential player.

"Ben is a PE teacher and every season it has been a problem.

"It may be a problem in the short term but hopefully in the longer term it will be good for him to finally get it sorted out. He will be able to get on with his football and other aspects of his life. He may have to take one pace back to take two or three forward."

Fellow defenders Darren Baker and Stuart Tuck could return tomorrow for the visit of Worcester in the premier division, but that still leaves Borough without John Westcott (back), Simon Ullathorne (thigh) and Danny Simmonds (arm).

Greenwood added: "We are still looking at the loan situation. We have been ringing clubs, have identified a number of players and with Ben out he will need to be replaced. It is a case of whether we look for a short term or long-term player to bring in.

"There should be some movement before Christmas once we have evaluated the full extent of our injury problems."