CANTERBURY Hockey Club have suffered a setback ahead of the new season after losing goalkeeper Andy Howard with a broken foot.

Formerly with Gore Court, Howard was expected to be pushing for the No 1 spot alongside Ben Cowling and Colin Reynolds, but now faces up to six weeks out.

The one-time Kent College pupil sustained the foot fracture after falling from a ladder while at work.

Skipper Stewart Keir admitted Howard's absence will be a real blow for Canterbury, whose two pre-season friendlies have seen them concede 12 goals.

Keir said: "Andy was certainly pushing for a starting place , so this is a setback we did not really want. He'd been looking really sharp in training, but I guess he'll need four weeks in plaster and then some intensive physio before he can start playing again."

Keir's side open their National League campaign away to Teddington on Sunday, September 26.