Gosport Borough's Sydenhams Wessex League title hopes have been dealt a cruel blow.

Influential skipper and midfield driving force Stuart Hensman has been forced to hang up his boots because of a potentially crippling knee injury.

Assistant manager Gary Lee explained: "Unfortunately Stuart's had to retire. He had an operation on his knee two or three weeks ago and was told that once it healed he'd be OK to have a couple of games. But he was warned that if he did that, there was a risk he could end up in a wheelchair.

"He had trouble with his cartilage a few years ago which wasn't too serious, but he's only managed five games this season.

"He's only 31 and was still captaining the side at the beginning of the season. It's bitterly disappointing for the lad.

"But Stuart's been very sensible about it. He's got a young boy who he likes to have a kick-around with and he says that if he's in a wheelchair, he wouldn't be able to do that."

Hensman, renowned on the Wessex circuit as a tireless, hard-working competitor, includes Havant, Fareham and Eastleigh among his former clubs. But these days he is very much a Gosport man.

Lee said: "Stuart will do anything for this club. He's Gosport through and through and we want to get him involved once he gets over his operation.

"He's on crutches for a month, but we'll talk to him again once he's walking OK.

"There will always be a position for him here even if it's on the coaching side.

"He loves his football and to have it cut out of his life completely would be difficult. His mind's working overtime about it, but we'll look after him. He needs a couple of older heads like me and Mick (manager Mick Marsh) to steady him down."