WORCESTER City's star striker Mark Owen will not play competitively again until next season following the double fracture of his leg in Saturday's FA Cup clash against St Blazey.

Surgeons have inserted plates into his tibia and fibula and have had to realign his ankle by screwing it into place.

The in-form 24-year-old, who has struck 17 goals in 15 games this season, suffered the injury during a freak accident in the 3-2 fourth qualifying round win in Cornwall.

City's assistant boss, Mick Tuohy, described it as devastating after hearing the centre-forward would be ruled out for the rest of the season.

"We are obviously devastated for him," he said.

"He's the highest scorer outside the professional game and was looking to beat all sorts of records and we're really upset for him.

"The cup runs and other competitions pale into insignificance for us and his loss is a massive blow."

Owen remains in the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro but his girlfriend Joanne Bond said he could return later today or tomorrow.

"The operation went really well and we are hoping he comes back today but it depends how he goes on crutches," she said.

"He's been told that it will be three months until he can start light training and then six months till he can start playing but it depends how he is feeling.

"He will have to have the plates removed in a year's time but he can play with them in and he is probably looking at pre-season games for his comeback."

Miss Bond said Owen was in good spirits but was unable to recall the moment when he suffered the injury.

"Mark was in a lot of pain when he came round from the operation but was better yesterday," she said.

"He can't remember anything at all about what happened but they reckon he was knocked unconscious and that as he fell backwards his ankle caught in the ground."

The popular forward, who lives in Worcester, has issued a thank-you message for all the support he has had since Saturday.

"Mark would like to thank everyone for their support. A St Blazey supporter even came to visit him with cards and chocolates which was really good of them," added Miss Bond.

City's next game is at St George's Lane against Tiverton Town in the Dr Martens Premier Division on Saturday.

Darren Middleton is likely to partner Phil Stant up front, with Mark Shepherd starting a three-match suspension for his sending-off in the recent home clash with Ilkeston Town.