Hastings United say they will defend themselves against any legal action Burgess Hill may take following an injury to their player Lewis Johnson.

Johnson broke a leg during the eastern division game at Hastings on Bank Holiday Monday after a tackle by United striker Chris Honey, who received a yellow card.

An ambulance was called and the game had to be held up for almost 20 minutes while Johnson received treatment on the pitch.

Burgess Hill have taken the matter to solicitors, but have not yet confirmed who the legal action will be against if they decide to go ahead.

Hillians boss Gary Croydon was critical of the Pilot Field pitch after the game and blamed it for Johnson's injury.

Hastings relaid the turf during the summer after carrying out drainage work to improve the pitch.

Croydon said after the game: "The pitch was unplayable and the game shouldn't have taken place. I told the referee that before the game and I told him again afterwards.

"I though it created problems with the challenges. It made the bounce of the ball unnatural and that makes it dangerous.

"It was a disgrace and now I have a young player with a broken leg."

Hastings are adamant they cannot be held accountable for the incident and will defend themselves if any legal action is brought against the club.

Club secretary Tony Cosens said: "We have not heard anything from Burgess Hill, but if we did and any legal action was against the club, then we would have to defend it.

"The club have to go by what the referee decides and he deemed the pitch fit to play.

"The game was the fifth match we have had on the pitch since it has been relaid and we have not had a complaint.

"It was not the pitch which caused the injury, it was the tackle so as far as the club is concerned we have nothing to do with it."

Burgess Hill have signed James Bird from Horsham.

Bird, who played for Withdean last season, played for Horsham YMCA at Gosport Borough in midweek but has now joined Hillians in the Dr Martens League.

Jay Head and Nicky Watt continue to be missing for Burgess Hill when they visit Southwick in the FA Cup tomorrow.

Crawley are hoping to have manager Francis Vines in charge for the home game against Worcester City in the premier division.

Vines is on holiday in France and is not expected back until tomorrow evening but has indicated he may return earlier than expected.

Former Crystal Palace and West Ham striker Dave Swindlehurst will take charge if Vines is not there after assistant manager Vic Bettinelli resigned this week to become a coach at Premiership Fulham.