DAVE Walker will likely miss the rest of the season after breaking an ankle during a substitute appearance in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Stafford Rangers.

The striker suffered the injury after colliding with goalkeeper Jon Brain when the pair raced to meet a pass lofted over the home team’s defence.

An x-ray later the same evening confirmed the extent of the 30-year-old’s injury.

His cameo for the final quarter of an hour of the Premier Division contest marked a return to the first team following surgery on a hernia that had kept him out of action for the past month.

“I’m gutted for Dave as he’s worked so hard to get fit,” said manager Brian Pritchard afterwards.

“We knew he wasn’t ready to start, though he did play 45 minutes for the reserves on Thursday.

“Had it been another week or two into his recovery, he’d probably have reached the ball first and gone on to score.

“The challenge was fair – Jon had every right make a challenge – it’s just one of those unfortunate accidents.”

Witton were waiting on Sunday to discover whether Walker, who spent a successful loan spell at Wincham Park earlier this season, will require an operation.