Devonshire Cougars are without experienced forward Lejaun Simmons who has been sidelined with a hairline leg fracture.

The Bermuda international suffered the injury when he was tackled from behind by St George’s Colts player Jordan Darrell, shortly after kick-off, in a Premier Division encounter at Wellington Oval on October 31.

“It’s a very slight fracture and definitely could have been worse,” Simmons told The Royal Gazette.

“They (doctors) say I’m looking at four to six weeks so I’m looking at roughly a month minimum. I would say until towards the end of December, early January.”

The 28-year-old, who is moving about with the aid of crutches, has taken his ordeal all in stride.

“I’m in good spirits and have received a lot of well wishes for a recovery,” Simmons added. “It’s football.

“I have never had an injury that put me on crutches before so it’s something new. But it happens and comes with the game.

“It’s just frustrating that it had to come so early in the season after waiting almost a year (due to pandemic) to start playing locally again. This was just the second game back.”

“It was my first touch of the ball,” Simmons explained. “They were battling for possession. Their player lost control of the ball and I stepped into my half to receive it, back towards their goal, and he just came right in behind me. I didn’t see him coming.”

The offence did not go unpunished as Darrell was shown a yellow card by referee Tashon Simons.

Meanwhile, Cougars picked up their first win of the season against struggling Somerset Eagles in a league clash at Devonshire Recreation Club on Thursday.

The home side dominated throughout on the way to a convincing 4-0 win in front of their own fans.

“I thought it was a great performance,” Simmons said. “The players are enjoying it.”

The win was also the Cougars’ first with their one time midfielder Kwame Steede back at the helm as coach.

The former Bermuda international has rejoined the club after a coaching stint at crosstown rivals Dandy Town, replacing Vance Brown only two weeks into the 2021-22 campaign.

Simmons believes that Steede has plenty to offer in terms of his wealth of experience and passion for the game.

“Kwame has brought a lot of energy into the squad and everyone is excited that he came back with his experience,” he added.

“He is a big player for Bermuda football so players are going to listen to him, his wisdom and experience.

“The players have taken to him very quickly and everyone is ready to put in the work.

“It’s just the start and I know we can only get better. We have some good players, some good young players, so it’s going to be a good season.

“It’s going to take some time with the stop and start with the Covid -19 and stuff. But hopefully the season remains and the players can get their fitness back and get some more games under their belt,” said Simmons.