TALISMANIC Wisbech Town striker Chris Bacon has been ruled out for up to three weeks with torn shoulder ligaments.

Last season’s top goalscorer will miss the Fenmen’s Thurlow Nunn Premier Division trip to Brantham Athletic on Saturday and the FA Cup showdown with Kettering Town next week.

Wisbech boss Steve Appleby said: “In big games you need your big players so it is disappointing.

“Chris is a big figurehead in the side and all the boys have got massive respect for him. He is the one they look up to and he is a big miss.

“We won’t be able to bring anyone in as a replacement this week but we might for the cup game.”

Bacon suffered the injury in Wisbech’s 3-0 FA Cup Preliminary Round victory over former March Town United boss Brett Whaley’s Yaxley on Saturday.

The powerful frontman put Wisbech ahead at the Elgood’s Fenland Stadium before a Matt Lunn finish and an Adam Millson penalty ensured safe passage into the next round.

But injuries to Bacon and midfielder Steven Reid took some of the shine off the victory, which came days after Wisbech had released Callum Reed and Simon Mowbray.

Appleby is hoping Reid will recover from his gashed leg in time for Saturday’s clash with Brantham, which could prove to be crucial in their challenge for the title.

He said: “There’s only three points at stake but if we could take points off a team who could be one of our rivals it would be brilliant.

“We’re on a good run but it only takes one bad performance to ruin it.

“If you include the pre-season games it’s probably the longest unbeaten run I’ve had as a manager but I don’t pay too much attention to statistics like that.”

Striker Dubi Ogbonna, who missed the FA Cup game with a foot injury, will return for Saturday’s tie.