PLAYERS and supporters of Witton Albion hope to raise £5,000 with a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for Nick Ryan’s recovery from a serious injury.

The defender was carried off during the second-half of his side’s draw with Marine on Thursday after breaking his leg in three places following a collision with an opponent.

He will be unable to play indefinitely.

The 24-year-old’s teammates have already pledged to hand over money they collected during the season for a holiday they have planned together next month.

“We all want to stick by Nick and to give him our full backing,” said manager Carl Macauley.

“It’s all we can think about – forget about the result – because we know just how hard this is on him.

“This gesture by the lads is great.”

Ryan, who signed for Witton last summer from Northern Premier League rivals Stalybridge Celtic, has earned an extension to his existing contract as a reward for his form on the pitch.

He was the visitors’ stand-out performer at Crosby too before his involvement was cut short in the 53rd minute after challenging Dominic Reid for a loose ball.

“Like many footballers at non-league level, Nick’s earnings from playing are only part of his income,” reads a statement on a JustGiving page set up on Friday.

“The injury is a serious one, and it will be a significant length of time before he can play again.”

Ryan had only just returned to the starting line-up following a two-month spell on the side-line after fracturing his jaw during a game at Sutton Coldfield Town shortly before Christmas.

Macauley added: “He has had so much bad luck already and now this. I’m gutted.”

He told the Guardian that Paul Williams, a senior player in the squad and a long-time friend of Ryan after playing alongside him at Burscough, had suggested Witton’s players make a first show of support to their teammate.

By then he had already left the Marine Travel Arena, and was warmly applauded by spectators when paramedics moved him on a stretcher from the dressing room to a waiting ambulance outside.

Witton have also announced that they will ask fans present at their remaining home games – against Farsley Celtic next Tuesday and then Lancaster City on Saturday week – to contribute to a collection.

The proceeds from an auction at the club’s annual presentation evening will be handed to the player too.