ON-FORM Troon attacking midfielder Evan Maley is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a major injury on Saturday.

He was taken to Crosshouse Hospital with a broken collarbone after being involved in a challenge with .two opponents in the Macron Scottish Junior Cup third round clash with Naim St Ninian. The Seasiders won the tie 4-2 to advance to the last 32 of the National competition.

Matt Maley, the player’s dad and Troon assistant manager said: “Evan was involved in a challenge with two Nairn players. He was going for the ball and one player brought him down and the other one fell on top of him and the impact caused him to break his collarbone. There was no malice but we won a foul out of it.

“It’s a real blow to lose him as he has been playing really well in recent weeks. He will be out for at least six weeks and that will take us up to nearly Christmas. But we have a strong squad.”

The Troon number two is delighted to progress and added: “It’s a great achievement to reach the last 32 and I hope people in the town will really get behind us and it would be good to get a home tie.”

Saturday sees Troon host Clydebank in McBookie Premiership action and Maley said: “We are at home and this is a game we should certainly be capable of winning. The aim is to make sure we stay in this league, that is the top priority."