Paul Reid, the Eastleigh captain, has reportedly broken his nose for the eleventh time in his career.

The 6 ft 2 in no-nonsense defender’s nose, which was once capped at under-19 level by England, was most recently broken during a 0-1 Vanarama National League win at Torquay United on Easter Monday.

But brave 34-year-old Reid says he’s ready to play through the pain during Eastleigh’s promotion campaign and is “likely to do it again”, telling BBC Radio Solent:

I’ve had three operations on it but I think I’ll leave the fourth one until I hang up my boots, because I’m likely to do it again.

I’ll have to start wearing a crash helmet.

You cannot be leading the lads sat on the touchline. I see it as part of a centre-back’s job and as part of my job as captain.

Read more: bbc.co.uk