HELSTON defender Jason Roberts has suffered a career-threatening injury.

The self-employed tradesman suffered a broken leg during his side's SWPL Premier victory at St Blazey on Saturday.

Boss Sid Taylor said: "He was going into a tackle but realised he was overstretching so tried to pull out, but the St Blazey player went underneath him.

"It was not a bad tackle, just very unfortunate. He walked off the pitch with the physio and iced it with a view to going back on, but he realised that something was not right."

An early assessment by the doctors at Treliske Hospital delivered the grim news that it could be 18 months before he is fully recovered. X-rays revealed there were two breaks. He was due to have an operation yesterday.

"It will obviously be very difficult for Jase to come back from it and as he is self-employed, he may decide not to play again," said Sid.

The Blues suffered more hardship on Saturday when keeper Barrie Wyatt was sent off for the second time this season after bringing down Danny O'Hagan in the penalty area. Taylor was furious at the decision, given that the rule has changed this year that it is only deemed a red card offence if the player makes no attempt to play the ball.

Despite these setbacks, a splendid individual goal early on from Mattie Buchan and a second half strike from Luke Tripconey earned his side a 2-0 victory.

They entertain Plymouth Parkway on Saturday.