Chinnor have rallied round to ensure broken-leg victim Ken Prinsloo is looked after over Christmas.

Prinsloo broke his left fibula and dislocated his ankle in Saturday’s National 3 South West clash at Redingensians.

With his leg in plaster, his family back home in South Africa and only able to get round on crutches, Prinsloo’s festive celebrations were going to be somewhat limited.

But he is now spending Christmas with Chinnor stalwart Walter McGuicken and his family, who live half a mile from the club ground in Thame.

“I’m doing all right,” said Prinsloo, who has impressed at wing and centre in his first season with Chinnor.

“I have got Walter to help me and a lot of support from the club.”

Prinsloo was treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading and will visit the John Radcliffe in Oxford tomorrow for an operation on his ankle.

“My ligaments were torn because of the dislocation,” said Prinsloo.

“They were planning to do the op on Sunday, but the ankle was too swollen.”

Prinsloo waited more than 40 minutes for an ambulance after his injury, but was still in good enough spirits to raise a fist to the Chinnor supporters as he was stretchered off.

Speaking of his injury, Prinsloo said: “I got the ball and stepped inside two opponents, then one guy grabbed my ankle and another tackled me around my chest.

“I went in two different directions, so it was a bit unfortunate.

“The first thing that went through my mind when I saw my ankle in the wrong direction was that I am out for the season.”

Prinsloo, who hails from Queenstown, Eastern Cape, is working as a groundsman and sports coach at Ashfold School, near Aylesbury.

He has dislocated a shoulder previously, but never suffered an injury as serious as this before.

Prinsloo will have a slightly chillier Christmas than he is used to.

“This time of year we would be lying on a beach in South Africa, not wrapped up indoors,” he said.

Fellow South African McGuicken said: “Everyone has really rallied round for Ken and we have had lots of messages from other clubs.

“He is such a nice guy and always has a smile on his face.”