INSPIRATIONAL Irvine Meadow skipper Ben Carson will almost certainly miss the rest of season 2019-20 after suffering double injury agony.

The tough-tackling midfielder suffered a broken and dislocated ankle in the 2-0 defeat away to Clydebank on Saturday and play was delayed for some time while he was attended to by experts.

The player said in a Facebook message after the game: “Absolutely gutted! Broken and dislocated ankle in for surgery tomorrow. Would just like to thank everybody for their messages it’s going to be a long road to recovery but I’ll be back.”

Boss Brian McGinty paid tribute to the courageous player when he said: “We’ve had our fair share of injuries this season and it looks like Ben is out for the season.

“He is such a hugely important player for us and will be missed.

“But we will just have to work together and get through this. Our goalie Shaun Newman is out with a broken finger.”

Chairman Robert Jeffrey also paid tribute.

He said: “On behalf of Irvine Meadow l would wish a speedy recovery to club captain Ben Carson, in my time at the club l have never known as many serious injuries to players.”

Rivals Irvine Victoria also wished the skipper well in a tweet on Saturday night.

Meanwhile McGinty is gearing to face Bathgate Thistle away in the Scottish Junior Cup.

He said: “I have connections in the East which I will use as Bathgate’s last two games have been off with the weather.

“Hopefully we can get through.”

Meanwhile Kilwinning Rangers will be hoping to top the McBookie Premiership by defeating Cumnock at Buffs Park on Saturday.

With Pollok on Scottish Cup duty they could leapfrog them with a win. Midfielder Ben Lewis, on target in the 3-0 win against Largs Thistle said: “The Scottish Cup defeat was a real blow but that was a great win as we owed Largs for two recent defeats. Hopefully we can challenge for the league.”

“Cumnock are a decent side but we aim to take the three points.”