LLANDUDNO suffered a blow to their survival hopes with the news that influential forward Toby Jones will miss the rest of the season.

The long-serving squad member broke his ankle during their last JD Welsh Premier League outing at Cefn Druids, leaving Mark Cowan without one of the more senior figures within the set-up for the run in.

He said: "It's a huge disappointment, and I feel for the lad, he's an important player for us and given the position we are in it's a huge blow.

"These lads are part-time, they work and need better protection from those that make the laws, and I think those tackles need to be reviewed."

Jones’ absence from the line-up could open the door for recent signing Sameron Dool, who has made a big impression since his move from Huws Gray Alliance side Bangor City.

The talented forward will be hoping for a starting berth this Friday night when they welcome Aberystwyth Town for a must-win clash as they look to avoid the drop (7.45pm)

“Sameron is adjusting to the step up from the Huws Gray Alliance very well. He was disappointed to have been left out of the starting line-up against Llanelli and Druids but hasn’t done his chances for starting against Aberystwyth next week any harm,” added Cowan.

“He’s a technically gifted player and he’s young and adapting to the physicality of the Welsh Premier League which he is doing well.”

The club are also “looking into” loan options to soften the blow of Jones’ injury, with the former Wales C international one of just two players that survived the massive overhaul implemented by manager Iwan Williams last summer.

Cowan, said: “The management team have been discussing it and weighing up our options with only 12/13 fit senior players available to us. We are having to look towards the U19s squad who Mark Orme obviously knows very well and Telor (Williams) and Osian (Jones) have stepped up and done well.”

“They just perhaps lack the experience we need going forward but again these are the variables we are looking at. Future injuries and suspensions are another factor we’re planning for so a loan move is certainly in our thoughts as a management team at the moment.”