EASTLEIGH’S last big summer signing Mark Hughes is almost certain to miss the start of the Blue Square Bet South campaign at Boreham Wood tomorrow week.

The former Barnet skipper has his foot in plaster after falling victim to a bad challenge in Tuesday’s 2-0 friendly win over Oxford United.

The fear is that the 28-year-old Northern Ireland international midfielder has either broken a toe or a metatarsal bone.

But nothing will be known for sure until he has another X-ray next week.

“Due to the swelling, we don’t know it it’s a metatarsal or toe,” said manager Ian Baird. “Either way, it wouldn’t be good news.

“He’s got a temporary plaster on at the moment and they’re going to re-X-ray it on Tuesday.

“Mark was obviously a big signing for us, so it’s extremely disapointing to lose him as a result of a bad tackle. I think it was deliberate because the player left his foot on him, but these things happen in football.”

 

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