DOMINIC Naylor has defended the course of action that signalled the end of his Basingstoke Town career.

Insisting he was correct to demand a scan on his injured right knee instead of following the club's set rehabilitation programme, the 31-year-old spoke to The Gazette in response to Ernie Howe's announcement last week that Naylor had broken the terms of his contract.

But the former Watford professional countered Howe's comments by saying: "The rehabilitation scheme they wanted me to follow involved wearing a knee brace for a month, when the PFA physio I have since seen told me it wouldn't have made a blind bit of difference to my knee.

"That's why I was adamant I wanted the scan first, especially as it was the second time in four months my knee had put me out of action."

Naylor's medial ligament injury dates back to the final match of last season against Gravesend.

However, despite rest over the summer and pre-season training, it broke down against Hendon on September 15.

Since then, the ongoing wrangling between player and club escalated to the level that prompted Howe's announcement.

The midfielder said: "I don't want to cause any trouble, but I have got to look after myself and my family's interests.

"I do not feel I am asking the club to do anything I wouldn't do for someone who worked for me.

"A month ago I asked Ernie what he was going to do regarding holding my contract, but he said he hadn't had a chance to speak to the chairman about it.

"At the moment they are holding my registration and I am getting a letter every fortnight telling me I am being fined my wages.

"I don't earn my main living through football any more, but it has been causing a few problems at work and hasn't made putting the Sugar Puffs in the cupboard any easier.

"I know it's unlikely I'll play for Town again, but in making a stand like this I am also trying to do the same for the rest of the boys.

"The club haven't got proper medical insurance so I have been to the PFA to help me get treatment. But not all the lads can do that.

"If the club had got proper health cover then I could have had the scan by now and probably would have been back playing."

In response, club chairman Dave Knight said: "Insurance is a legal requirement, but the level we choose is down to the club.

"Our current year depends on previous ones, and we changed companies this year for an approved scheme between the Ryman League and Endsleigh.

"If you look at the injuries we have had over the past two years, players like Jason Bristow and Glenn Howes have had operations following physio Mark Randalls and our doctor's advice.

"If both were in agreement Dominic needed a scan, then there's no question he would have got one.

"I have sympathy with Dominic's situation, but we trust the advice of our qualified physio and doctor implicitly."

However, Naylor disputed that: "Both said it would be advisable if I could have a scan first, but that they didn't have the power to make that decision.

"Once they had spoken to the powers that be, their diagnosis changed.

"I am just sticking up for my rights. When you get injured playing for a club and need treatment, you should get it. It shouldn't come down to cash."

But Ernie Howe reiterated: "A contract works both ways. The way Dominic has chosen to go is not keeping his side of it.

"Mark Randall and our doctor openly admitted that if there had been no progress after two or three weeks of rehab, he could then have a scan.

"With our current injury situation, he could have been back in the side. He's definitely the type of player we need at the moment.

"But the bottom line is that the club's finances are not limitless. We cannot afford to pay for scans after every little knock."

Naylor concluded: "It's such a shame it's turned out like this because I never gave less than 110 per cent and did the business for the team.

"But I am not prepared to give any less than that until I know the damage in my knee. It's difficult to accept my career with them is all over because of not getting a stupid £400 scan."