CWMBRAN Town's modest reserves have taken a huge blow as Michael Pattimore has told stand-in boss Roger Gibbins: "I'm out for the season," writes Peter Shuttleworth.

Medical experts have confirmed Gibbins' fears this week and told the 23-year-old sweeper that his knee ligament problem will keep him sidelined until the Crows resume pre-season training in the summer.

Croesyceiliog-based Pattimore consulted with surgeons at the Bupa Hospital in Cardiff who said the defender had either damaged cartilage or, the more serious implication, cracked his knee bone.

Either way he admits: "I'm gutted because whatever the diagnosis it means I'm out for the rest of the campaign.

"I'll be having a scan to find out the problem in a couple of weeks. I'm so disappointed because I'd only just got back into the line-up regularly."

Pattimore arrived at Cwmbran Stadium in 2000 after being released by Swindon Town - and his early exit from the County Ground was mainly due to a long period in the treatment room.

"I smashed my knuckles and was out of action for 18 months before I was released," he said.

Pattimore hobbled out of Cwmbran's 4-1 win over Welshpool Town on January 18 - and since that victory Town haven't lost in four Welsh Premier League outings and one Welsh Cup game.

He added: "After I know exactly what's wrong I'll focus my attentions on regaining my fitness in time for pre-season training."

Pattimore's colleagues travel to Bangor City tomorrow (2.30pm) in the quarter-final of the Welsh Cup.

The Farrar Road clash is crucial for Cwmbran as they are desperate for a trophy in this, a so far disappointing, season.

"We are a big Welsh Premier League club and we should be competing for all the major trophies," Pattimore added.

"We have had a disappointing league season because we should be up there pushing for the title, but we're still in with a shout in the Welsh Cup so the lads will certainly give it their best shot."

Defender Richard Carter returns from suspension tomorrow but with young left-back Mark Morris doing well, Gibbins has a slight selection headache.

Ex-Manchester United midfielder and Welsh Under-18 international Rhodri Jones, who Cwmbran signed last week, is also available for selection tomorrow.

Cwmbran Town: M Ellacott, R Carter, G Warton, R David, M Morris, N Smothers, S Wharton, N Wigg, A Moore, S Mainwaring, C Summers, J Welsh, C Watkins, M Davies, R Hurlin, M Dunn, R Jones