JERSEY Scottish defender Ryan Lumsden is out of the Muratti.

The former Island captain has been advised not to play by staff at the General Hospital – so his dreams of playing in Monday’s Cherry Godfrey Centenary Vase final are over.

Lumsden (30) received seven stitches for a jagged, deep cut to his left cheekbone last Saturday after a collision with an opponent in Scottish’s 2-1 Upton Park Trophy success against Guernsey Sylvans at Springfield.

Jersey manager Dave Matthews said: ‘Ryan’s absence is a huge blow to the squad – he’s gutted and we all feel for him.

He is a very good player, he has never let the Island down and he will be sorely missed.’ Lumsden will not be replaced in Matthews’ squad.

‘We still have Craig Ferey, Trevor Le Maistre and Stuart André for the central defending positions and, if need be, James Hayward can play there as well,’ said the manager.

‘Ryan will return to the hospital today because he is still feeling ill and his back remains extremely sore from where he landed.

‘I still want him to be involved.

I want him to come to Guernsey with the squad and he will let me know later today.

Ryan’s decision about playing or not was taken away by doctors and, at the end of the day, it is the player’s health that matters.’ Matthews said the rest of his squad are fit and now he has the difficult job of choosing his team to defend the Vase.

‘We had the Press up last night at training, taking the official photographs and we had a fun session with the ladies’ squad.

Everyone is fit and raring to go and we’re looking really sharp.

‘I’ve been impressed with the commitment of everyone and the hardest job now is to select the starting eleven.

‘One thing is certain – we won’t be going to Guernsey to defend, I will be selecting an attacking team.’