Ollie Rowland is looking to break into County League management while he recovers from a career threatening injury.

The 26-year-old Lewes midfielder will miss the whole of next season as the result of a knee injury he suffered in November.

He will have an operation next month which will require up to nine months' rehabilitation and he hopes to past the time by going into management with his brother Simon.

Rowland said: “I might have to look at the bigger picture and call it time on playing. I will look at it after the operation and rehab, see where I am at and see how I feel.

“Next season I will look to manage and try to keep myself involved. Me and my brother would like to try to get a County One job. We are looking at it and keeping our options open.

“I have not given up on playing again. You never say never. As long as I work hard, get my head down and get it as strong as possible there is no reason why I can't come back. I have done it before and there is no reason why I can't do it again.”

Rowland played for English Schools under-18s when he was younger and also spent time as a professional with Crystal Palace.

After dropping out of the professional game he made a name for himself at Eastbourne Borough until suffering a serious injury to his left knee which put him out of football for more than a season and ended his time at Priory Lane.

He tried to rebuild his career with Lewes this season but suffered the same injury to his right knee in a game against leaders Burton Albion in November.

The full diagnosis is Rowland has ruptured the ACL ligament in his right knee, damaged the posterior cruciate at the back of the knee and suffered slight meniscus damage. He will undergo an operation at Haywards Heath in April.

He said: “I did the left knee before and this time it was the right knee. They say there is a tendency the other one can go.

“The frustrating thing for me is I got myself back playing to a level where I wanted to be playing, had started to get myself fit and then I suffered the injury.

“I had a few good performances for Lewes but because I wasn't quite fit enough and I was only just getting my confidence and fitness people didn't see my true colours.”

Rowland is still keeping a close eye on progress at Lewes.

He said: “I know that everyone is trying to turn this club around and get results - management, players and board.

“It was always going to be difficult and we have had a lot of injuries. When we had everyone fit, we were getting results and competing.”