Quinton Jones has stepped into the role of coach at Devonshire Colts as he continues his recovery from the near career-ending leg injury he suffered in January.

Jones, 34, fractured his leg in an FA Cup tie against X-Roads at Garrison Field and missed the rest of the season as Colts were relegated to the First Division.

Colts picked up a point in their season opener, drawing 2-2 at home with Southampton Rangers for whom Jomar Wilkinson made his debut as their new coach.

Jones has not ruled out returning as a player, but right now his priority is helping establish Colts as one of the promotion contenders despite the loss of some key players.

“I feel like I need to go and get a second opinion just to see how everything is coming along,” Jones said of the injury.

“I would like to play again, I do try to kick the ball with the players every so often.”

Jones broke the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg when he made a second-half tackle, the match held up for half an hour before the ambulance arrived to take him to hospital.

“Both bones were clean breaks and I have a steel rod going from my knee down to my ankle and it has to stay in there for two years,” Jones said.

“The doctor said I should be able to play again, I just don’t feel confident right now. It is still tender and I can do a little bit of running but as far as kicking with that leg, I’m not so sure.

“I would try it but I’m due to get married next year and my wife-to-be wants to make sure I can walk down the aisle! At this point I need to take a back seat and hopefully next year I can try it again.”

Colts lost five players in transfers as Jamal Woodley, D’Andre Wainwright, Lozendro Symonds, Ryan Tyrrell and Kijuan Wilkinson moved to new clubs, while Jomei Bean-Lindo — another player who had a season-ending injury — and Eli Smith are studying overseas.

The team, captained by experienced striker Kyle Jones, can still be competitive, the coach feels, after drawing with Rangers.

“I’m happy to get a positive result in my first time leading the senior team,” Jones said. “Pre-season could have been much better but I take the positives from the game and try to go forward with that.

“We went down 1-0 and then up 2-1, so my players showed good character from that early setback. It’s unfortunate we gave up a penalty to let them back in the game.”

Colts will look for their first win when they meet Wolves on Sunday at Police Field. Jones is banking on Kyle Jones, his first cousin, to lead by example as the team’s most senior player.

“Kyle is back out, leading the line for me and is also the captain,” Jones said.

“The youngsters look up to him and respect him. The goal is to hopefully get promoted at the first time of asking. Those players we lost will be a big miss but the rest of the young players have a lot of quality, and a few of them are in the national programme.

“We also lost a few players to college but we definitely have the quality to give anybody a challenge, Premier or First Division. I was actually player-coach last year for the senior team, assisting Ray [Jones] and Jay [Bean] with training as well as coaching the under 16 and PDL [Player Development League] team.”

Jones added: “I offered to take the team last year but they felt I wasn’t ready quite yet, but after breaking my leg Ray, the president, said, ‘It’s time for you to take over the coaching duties’.

“I love football so I’m happy to be in this position. I love the guys I’m working with, they’re very respectful and are working hard for me, so I’m grateful.”