THE New Saints have received a blow with the news that key frontman Matty Williams has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

The 29-year-old from St Asaph, who top scored last season and has nine goals to his name in the current campaign, was injured in the 6-0 Welsh Cup defeat of Bryntirion Athletic at the beginning of the month.
Although the injury was not thought to be too serious, it has now been diagnosed as medial knee ligament damage and Williams went under the surgeon's knife this week.
But manager Carl Darlington is backing Alex Darlington to step up and fill Williams’ boots.
"Matt and Alex are very similar in the way they play," he said.
"Alex has had a run of three games now and he’s been our most consistent player in those matches.
"He’s raised his standards and that’s what we expect week in week out. I’ve got massive faith in his ability."
Williams is a Wales Under-21 international who joined Manchester United as a 16-year-old.
He spent five years at Old Trafford without ever breaking into the first team and played for Notts County, where he made 26 appearances, Tamworth and Burton Albion before joining Rhyl in July 2008.
After two seasons at Belle Vue, where he top-scored in 2009/10, Williams left to join The New Saints in June 2010 and again topped the goal charts last season with 19 in the Welsh Premier.
Photo: Matty Williams (left) is out for the rest of the campaign.