ESMOND James's knee injury is not as bad as feared, Hayes & Yeading boss Garry Haylock has confirmed.

The midfielder was carried off on a stretcher 30 minutes into the defeat to Crawley on Monday after landing awkwardly while making an aerial challenge.

But fears that James has ligament damage have been allayed with the 20-year-old suffering a twisted knee. Although it is unclear how long he will be out, he is expected to be available again before the end of the season.

"It is swollen but it's not as bad as we first thought," said Haylock. "He was going to go to hospital but there was no need."

Meanwhile, Steve Basham, who missed the Crawley match after picking up a knock, is expected to return to the squad for Saturday's home match against Barrow.