LEE Sinnott launched a scathing attack on the British Universities staff after admitting Simon Richman looks certain to miss the start of the season with an injury that was allowed to deteriorate during the recent World Student Games.

Altrincham’s key midfielder, one of the outstanding successes of last season, pulled up in the early stages of training on Tuesday night, amid fears he has developed Osgood-Schlatter’s, a painful knee condition that could take several weeks to clear up.

He will miss Saturday’s final friendly against Burnley (3pm) and looks a near-certain absentee for the launch of Alty’s Skrill North campaign at Worcester seven days later.

“The more this rumbles on, the more it annoys me,” fumed Alty boss Sinnott. “It originated with the ankle knock against Italy at the games and has got worse because of the short-term thinking of the GB manager and physio.

“They would have known Simon needed seven to 10 days rest. Instead, they strapped him up and sent him out to play 90 minutes in the semi-final four days later, then strapped him up again and used him for 120 minutes in the final, two days after that.

‘Now he’s come back, and, just a few minutes into training last night, he’s complained of discomfort in his knee. It is a consequence of the original ankle injury, and we think it is Osgood-Schlatter’s, which is bizarre because that normally affects young teenagers who are still growing.

“We will have to look into it further and manage it as best we can, but in the meantime, missing Burnley would mean a month without a game, so he’s got to be a major doubt for the start of the season.

“I can accept someone going away to a tournament like this and picking up an injury, but what I can’t accept is the complete lack of care for the player and consideration for the club he is contracted to. They have shown no thought for his wellbeing or our needs and have done Altrincham, myself and ultimately Simon no favours whatsoever.

“They put their own interests first, and it is totally unacceptable. I have spoken to the chairman about whether we should take the matter further and make our feelings known. We will see where we go with that, but I don’t feel like just dropping it. I’m angry and very unhappy at the way one of my players has been mishandled.”