WILL Richards will go under the knife on Thursday to fix a broken arm he picked up during Chippenham Town’s goalless National League South draw with Maidstone on Tuesday night.

It’s the second time the Shrewsbury Town academy product has broken his arm this term.

In August, the 27-year-old defender remarkably played through the pain barrier after sustaining the injury when Billericay visited Hardenhuish Park – a game Chippenham won 2-0.

Having promptly recovered, Richards has now been set back once more and will understandably miss a large period of the Bluebirds’ second half to the season.

Though Richards’ setback no doubt hurt Chippenham’s chances of earning three points in Kent, Collier’s men battled fiercely and were perhaps unlucky not to record a first National League win since October 12.

“I’m pleased we got something, we absolutely deserved points on Saturday (against Havant & Waterlooville) but got nothing,” said Collier.

“It was imperative we got something for our efforts, and I thought we were unlucky not to get all three points at Maidstone. I’m not saying we were dominant, but we created the better chances.

“Luke Haines should’ve definitely scored and Will Puddy had to make only a couple of saves all evening.”

Off the back of a five-game winless National League run, Collier changed Bluebirds’ shape slightly for Tuesday night’s trip east.

New recruit Tom Owen-Evans, drafted in on loan from Hereford earlier this week, slotted in behind the visitors’ front two as a diamond 4-4-2 shape was adopted in the absence of Curtis McDonald – who sat out with a tight hamstring.

On loan Swindon Town defender Luke Haines had the best chance to pierce Maidstone’s net, but could find a way past the home ‘keeper.

Reflecting on the point, Collier said: “I’m pleased for the players and supporters, who deserved something.

“We wanted to flood the midfield and stop Maidstone’s passing lines, we managed to do that.

“We were pleased how that worked out, just the final ball in and around the box isn’t falling for us at the moment.

“If we continue to play how we have done recently, I will have no fears for us at all.”