S<$>T. GEORGE’S goalkeeper Troy Hall is facing two months out of action after breaking his left ankle during last weekend’s First Division encounter with Devonshire Colts. Hall, a former national squad ‘keeper and still rated as one of the island’s top goalkeepers even at the age of 38, was released from the hospital on Tuesday morning after undergoing surgery on Sunday night. Despite the pain the veteran player was in high spirits when he spoke of his injury this week — the most serious of a long career. “It was a clean break, but there is a lot of pain,” said Hall.

“They told me it will be about six weeks on crutches and after that physio. I guess it all depends on me because the physio part is really up to you.”

Hall will likely be out until the new year, a serious blow to his club who started the season with a 7-1 hammering of Hamilton Parish but have picked up just one point from their last three matches. It could leave the club struggling for a goalkeeper as the player expected to push Hall for the goalkeeping spot, teenager Kevan Foggo, was recently killed in a cycle accident.

Hall has had cartilage damage in his knee and a nose injury in the past, but this injury is by far the most serious for him. He knew it was serious the moment it happened.

“Once I planted my foot it just gave way like a rubber band. It went right out underneath me,” said Hall of the seventh minute injury.

“I knew it was broken once I had done it but I ended up standing right back on it and thought ‘oh no, this is definitely broken’ and went right back down.”

While Hall was being taken away in the ambulance he saw Devonshire Colts score their first goal. Three more went in under replacement goalkeeper Neil Paynter as last season’s relegated side won comfortably.

Hall is having to endure considerable pain as his recovery begins. ‘I’m taking a lot of pain killers,” he said.

“Once I have to go somewhere and go to use the crutches a rush of pain goes to the ankle, but then when I’m up for about a minute I don’t feel anything. Nights I’m up in the wee hours to take a pain killer, but I’m dealing with it.”

Hall has been the club’s most consistent and reliable player over the years, even playing when injured. After just coming off a summer of cricket, the break will give Hall time to heal. Even so, he isn’t thinking about retirement from football just yet.

“Nobody retires in Bermuda, this is amateur football,” said Hall. “I laugh when people say they are going to retire.”

Having said that, Hall accepts that the club has some talented youngsters coming through. Foggo was one of them.

“He would have been breaking through this year because Neil (Paynter) was looking to play a lot of young players anyhow,” said the goalkeeper whose motivation remains high.

“I still feel I’m ready to continue on being goalkeeper. I get excited when I’m out there. I’m really trying to push the youngsters and it’s nice when a youngster comes and takes your spot. But I’m still trying to push myself harder and harder to better myself.”

[bul] Premier Division action resumes after a one-week break with newly promoted Paget travelling to Somerset tomorrow night to meet the Trojans (9.00) as Somerset’s Dion Stovell goes up against his former team.

The three matches on Sunday are all in close proximity of each other; North Village taking on Martonmere Cup finalists PHC at Bernard Park, Boulevard and Devonshire Cougars clashing in a local derby at BAA field and Dandy Town hosting St. David’s at St. John’s Field. Cougars are fresh off a shocking 5-0 victory over Town on Wednesday night which guaranteed them a place in next month’s Martonmere final.

All but two of the First Division matches will all have 3.00 starts on Sunday. Wolves meet fellow promotion chasers Ireland Rangers in the top clash at Devonshire Rec., while Devonshire Colts will be at nearby Police Field.taking on Prospect in another 3.00 match. The St. George’s-Social Club match will also start at 3.00 at Wellington Oval while Southampton Rangers host X-Roads and Somerset Eagles meet Hamilton Parish in two 12.30 fixtures.

The three Women’s Division matches have Lady Cougars playing Lady Rams at Devonshire Rec, St. George’s Ponies entertaining Dandy Stars and Prospect at home to Somerset Hurricanes.