MARCH Town United’s captain and top scorer Luke Pepper has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Pepper, who has scored 12 goals from midfield this season, damaged medial ligaments in his right knee during the reserves’ 1-0 defeat to Somersham Town Reserves on January 22.

Initially the 26-year-old expected to be out for up to six weeks but his longest ever spell on the sidelines is set to continue.

Pepper said: “I’m devastated my season is over but I don’t want to miss the start of next season or do some serious long-term damage.

“If we had a cup final or a chance of promotion it might be worth taking a risk but we’ve agreed it’s not.

“I might be first-team captain but I play for March as a club so I don’t regret playing that game for the reserves at all.”

Pepper will see a knee specialist in a few weeks and may have to have minor surgery to solve the problem.

Hares boss Jamie Weston said: “It would be great for March to have him back but it’s just not worth risking him. I’d rather Luke be ready for next season.