Jim Foreman, who has netted nine of the Rutland club's 15 league goals, has been sidelined for the rest of the season because of persistent knee problems.

And there are fears his career may be over. Joint-manager Steve Duffy said: "It's a devastating blow for us but more so for John.

"He absolutely lives for his football. Jim's certainly out for the rest of this season which is a big, big blow for us because he is a quality player.

"His health is more important though and we wish him well. He is going to need an operation and then we will see if he can come back next season."

Foreman's injury has come at a bad time for the club with veteran striker Nick Buff also unfit with a thigh injury. He is still a few weeks off making a return to first team action.

Duffy said: "I'm hoping the goals will be spread around the team more. It will be a boost to have Buffy fit again but we also have some useful reserve team players who will have to step up.

"Jack Berry will score goals for us but he needs a bit more experience and a touch more confidence."

Amateurs were the only Rutland side to make progress in the Leicestershire Senior Cup at the weekend, when they won 3-1 at Loughborough-based FC Dynamo.

Rob Lewin, substitute Ben Easson and David Bates scored the goals to put Cottesmore through to a last 16 tie away to Ratby Sports on December 13.

Ratby are just above Amateurs in the senior league premier division table.

Amateurs will be hoping to get only their third victory in their opening 11 Leicestershire Senior League games at Asfordby at the weekend.

Their hosts, who lost an entire squad when the manager left in the summer, have conceded a whopping 68 goals and scored only four themselves.

Their last league outing a fortnight ago saw them humiliated 13-1 at high-flying Rothley Imps.

Duffy added: "We won't underestimate them.

"We won't be going there thinking we will score five or six goals but if someone offered me a 1-0 win now I would take it.

"It's a local derby and we are really looking forward to it."