Lewes goalkeeper Dean Ruddy has vowed to fight back after the cruellest of blows.

The affable American sat on the bench for the first 12 games of the season without getting a sniff of action.

He could only watch as Rikki Banks turned in a series of impressive displays.

Ruddy then got his chance due to an injury to Banks, only to get injured himself in Saturday’s 3-2 victory at home to Forest Green.

The 26-year-old endeared himself to Lewes fans after playing through the pain barrier to help his side to a vital win.

Ruddy crumpled into a heap in the 26th minute after trying to take a free-kick but soldiered on because Lewes did not have a replacement keeper on the bench.

The injury was subsequently diagnosed as a hip flexor problem which will keep Ruddy out for a while.

He said: “I would have gone off if we had another keeper but since we didn’t I had to play on and get through it.

“The physio says I have a small rupture. It happened when I tried striking through a ball, I heard it pop and go. Initially it was pretty painful but adrenalin got me through the game.

“It was hard but I was happy I was able to do my best and help get us three points.”

Ruddy made his Lewes debut a week earlier as a late replacement when Banks suffered a head injury at Grays.

Banks recovered from that blow but then suffered back spasms in the warm-up at Cambridge United three days later which meant Ruddy was called in for his first start minutes before kick-off.

He made some good saves in that game and was looking for an extended run in the side until the cruel blow against Forest Green.

Ruddy said: “Rikki Banks has had a great season so far. I was just trying to be patient and wait for my chance. Unfortunately it came through an injury to Rikki, because you never want to see one of your team-mates get hurt.

“I was able to step in and I had a great time playing against Cambridge. I was hoping to keep it going for a few more games and then I got injured myself.

“I have now got to get fit and see what happens. Rikki has done fantastic job this season so I am sure when he is fit the spot will be waiting for him but if there is a time of the season when it comes back to me again I will do my best to fill in that position.”

Chicago-born Ruddy, who celebrated his 26th birthday the day after the Forest Green game, got his chance at Lewes thanks to John Suter.

Ruddy said: “After I graduated from university at Rhode Island I had a few pro trials but nothing worked out and my friend Ross Smith, who was playing at Gravesend and Northfleet which is now Ebbsfleet, sorted me out a trial over here. I came over on a whim and now I don’t want to leave.

“I started my career here at Horsham YMCA. Then I signed for Dover last year. I was just trying to climb the ladder.

“My old manager at Horsham YMCA, John Suter, sorted me out a trial at Lewes in the summer. I came on in a friendly and impressed Kevin (Keehan) enough to sign me. I am just trying to find my way in Conference football now and I am enjoying every minute of it.”

A fit-again Banks is likely to be back between the posts for tonight’s Setanta Shield game with Bognor at the Dripping Pan, although Seb Barton has been signed as cover.

Michael Standing could play some part in the match as he recovers from a groin injury but Danny Cullip will rest a minor knock.

Ruddy will be there supporting his mates, which typifies Lewes’s spirit.

He said: “All the team are great, we all get on really well. We have had a tough start to the season but not once have we got on each other’s backs or quarrelled. We have stayed positive and we are starting to turn the season around now.”