ANDOVER hotshot Justin Bennett is doomed to miss the first month of the new season with a cracked leg bone.

Incredibly, the 21-year-old former Pompey trialist carried on as normal for three weeks without realising he had a fractured fibula - the outer and smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle.

In fact, he was even allowed to start a game while boss Brian Le Boutillier was on holiday!

Le Boutillier reported: "Justin did it in our first friendly against Romsey but didn't find out until last week. He's not in plaster as there's no bone displacement and it's already starting to heal.

"He's wearing a heavy grip on his leg but he's okay to walk around - it's only if he runs that it impacts on the leg and hurts.

"He's been told not to do anything for a while and he'll be out until the middle of September.

"He's annoyed as it means doing pre-season all over again."

Former Salisbury man Bennett has been one of the most prolific Wessex goalscorers since being signed by Le Boutillier's predecessor, Howard Goddard, two seasons ago as a replacement for Andy Forbes.

He finished fourth in the 2002/3 charts with 27 SWL/Cup goals and weighed in with another 33 last term.

Lions, home to Bournemouth Poppies tomorrow, have had their fill of summer injuries.

Fellow striker Phil Andrews is just returning from an adductor muscle problem and club stalwart Vince Rusher has been struggling with a badly bruised thigh bone.

Although Andrews is a bit of a joker off the park, Le Boutillier has nothing but respect for the former Brighton & Hove Albion, Bashley and Dorchester striker.

He said: "You can tell Phil's been a pro because of his mindset on the game. He's meticulous in everything he does. The only one who comes anywhere near him is our skipper, Glen Damen.

"Phil's a quality forward who thinks on a different plane to the others."

Although only defender Sam Rae (AFC Newbury) has left the club, Le Boutillier has made a stack ofsignings.

Five players have joined from Andover New Street - strikers Matt Styles and Nick Turpin, midfielders Bobby Swain and Brendon Summers and defender/wing-back Mark Keough - and Le Boutillier has raided his old club, Bemerton, for defender Darren Harding and midfielder Carl Jones.

Lions have also added the experience of former Fleet midfielder Gary Stockwell from Whitchurch and have signed young Luke Havilland from Downton as goalkeeping cover for Colin Hopkins.

Explaining his signing spree, Le Boutillier said: "Out of the top eight last season, I think Winchester were the only team to do the double over us, but we were so thin on the ground that the side virtually picked itself. If we've got aspirations to beat the good sides, we need strength in depth."

So far, the new-look Andover is working well. They are one of four teams boasting a six-point start, thanks to wins over Hamble ASSC and Fareham.