BEES’ talisman Ryan Dovell admitted his annoyance at not being able to feature for the club over the festive period.

The striker, who suffered medial ligament damage to his knee in Bridport’s FA Vase exit at Highworth Town, has even been signed off his from his job as a postman until January 5 due to the injury, but he is hoping to get back into training towards the end of the month.

Commenting on the injury, the former Dorchester Town man said: “I didn’t really think it was going to put me out for as long as it possibly could do. I was just hoping it was going to be a couple of weeks and I’d be alright but it turned out I had done a bit more damage than I thought.

“It’s still sore and still giving me a bit of pain. It’s easing a little bit but it still might be a while before I can get into training and get back playing.

“At the moment, I’m signed off work and everything until January 5 but, with the way things are going, I may have to go back and get that extended.”

Dovell has been instrumental in performing a number of different roles for Trevor Senior’s side this term, but with the Bees enjoying a relatively fruitful campaign so far, he knows he will have to work tirelessly to regain his place in manager Trevor Senior’s starting XI.

“I don’t like missing games at the best of times but at this busy period as well when the club is doing so well in the league, it’s really frustrating and it could be difficult to get back in,” he added.

“Through work I am being put through for physiotherapy, I haven’t had any sessions yet but I will go to physio and that will speed things up a little bit.

“I am not going to rush anything but hopefully in the last few months of the season I can contribute and really help the club out.

“I am hoping towards the end of January to get back into it and we will take it from there.”