CONCORD Rangers midfielder Tom Ranger admits he is gutted to have been ruled out for the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with having a blood clot.

The 22-year-old joined the Beach Boys from Essex neighbours Great Wakering Rovers in November, but has suffered an injury hit career at the National League South side to date.

He will now sit out the next six months after he was told by doctors he had a blood clot in his groin, having made just three substitutes appearances for his new club to date.

He cannot do any form of exercise until April, and he admits he is disappointed his first season at Concord has ended so prematurely.

“I can’t do any impact sports at all for about six months and that is really gutting,” said Ranger. “I can’t do anything until it starts to get better and I think it is between six to eight weeks before I can do any exercise at all.

“All I can do at the moment is make sure I am in the best possible shape come the start of next season and really push on and make an impression.”

Ranger is on blood thinners in a bid to treat the injury, but admits he is frustrated at the injuries he has sustained since making the move from the Ryman One North.

Injury-free for much of his time at Wakering, Ranger is now looking to hit back when he returns to fitness next season.

“I don’t know exactly how I got it but it could be from a previous injury or illness,” he said. “I had pneumonia earlier in the season and apparently it could have come from that, although I have had a thigh strain in the last few weeks and that is another possible cause.

“I had just got back into training after pneumonia and my thigh was really swollen after one session, probably double the size of the other leg, so I went to see a specialist, and they said it was a blood clot.

“I will just have to work hard and do everything I can to come back as soon as possible.”