Market Drayton Town’s plans for the season have been rocked with the news that influential captain Paul McMullen could be sidelined for up to four months.

And insult was certainly added to injury when the hunt for medical advice for the key central defender went on through the night for more than 10 hours – and at four different hospitals.

The eventual diagnosis was a triple facture around the eye socket and cheekbone area, and his lengthy absence will begin with tomorrow’s Evo Stik League division one south home encounter with Ilkeston.

McMullen suffered the injury in a collision during the 2-2 draw at Derbyshire outfit New Mills on Tuesday.

Accompanied by coach Mick Murphy, he was then sent to hospitals in Buxton, Stockport and Stoke before eventually returning to Shrewsbury – where he is scheduled to have an operation on Monday – at 7.15am.

A journey which should have been 57 miles and taken less than one-and-a-half hours instead tallied 126 miles and – with all the waiting – an entire night.

And, in a further blow to McMullen, he will have to miss his England cage fighting debut, due to have been made in Germany next week.

“It’s a massive blow to us because. Not only is he one of the best central defenders in the league, he is also an outstanding captain,” said boss Neil Woolliscroft.

McMullen’s setback is the latest injury blow to Drayton, whose Greenfields base is fast resembling Emergency Ward 10.

“We have got more players in the treatment room than we have in the changing room,” reflected Woolliscroft.

As well as McMullen, striker Luke Reynolds is set to be out for another month, Stuart Ellis is likely to be sidelined six weeks with an ankle injury while Callum Wright, Bobby Spooner and Liam Dumphy are all searching for full fitness.

Martyn Davies begins a suspension tomorrow but Woolliscroft is hoping for some relief with the return of striker Tom Rogers.

Boosted by that gritty away point on Tuesday, the Drayton boss is in confident mood going into the home clash with much-fancied Ilkeston – who were narrow 1-0 winners when the sides met earlier in the season.

“We had a game plan against New Mills which the lads stuck to brilliantly,” added Wooliscroft.

“If we can do the same with the plan for tomorrow, we will be fine.”

By JAMES GARRISON