WORCESTER Raiders have enjoyed a winning start to pre-season but lost a key player to a serious injury.

The promoted West Midlands League Premier Division side beat Malvern Vale 5-1 and Cheltenham Saracens 7-1.

But their friendly at Bishop’s Cleeve was abandoned after less than half-an-hour when defender Logan Stoddart suffered a double break to his leg.

Raiders were 2-0 down at the time and an ambulance was called after Stoddart sustained the injury in a 50/50 challenge.

After lengthy treatment on the pitch he was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Former Bromsgrove Sporting midfielder Chris Bright has joined Raiders.

Assistant manager Chris Cornes said: “Chris has impressed massively over the last few weeks of pre-season and was definitely a signing we wanted to complete.”

Bright has played futsal for Wales and founded support network The Diabetes Football Community.

Raiders’ next friendly is at Team Dudley on Tuesday.