HAMBLE Club are sweating on the fitness of influential skipper Liam Crook for Saturday’s massive FA Vase last-16 trip to Windsor.

The gritty midfielder hasn’t played since the Monks’ storming 4-1 win at Westfields in the last round.

He had felt pain in his left knee after playing against Blackfield & Langley the week before and manager Ben Kneller suspects medial ligament damage.

Crook was in the squad on Saturday as Hamble completed an unbeaten January with a 3-2 home win over Cowes Sports in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

But, barring a miracle, Kneller fears that he may miss the biggest match in the club’s history.

“Liam warmed on Saturday, but it wasn’t great and it is a concern for us,” said the boss. “I’ll be surprised if he plays on Saturday.

“With Liam, you know what you’re going to get. He’s played in big games and it’ll be a huge miss if he doesn’t make it.

“That said we’ve got some promising lads who will be fighting for the shirt – Alex Blake, Brad Magookin and Charlie Wagstaffe are all good players.”

Defender Mike Byrne and left-back Matt Troon are also concerns for the Stag Meadow trip.

Troon was taken off as a precaution at half-time against Cowes with a hamstring problem and, while Byrne played his way through it, his ankle was giving him discomfort.

Kneller won’t be taking any chances and will rotate his squad for tomorrow's Hampshire FA Senior Cup quarter-final at high-riding National League South outfit Havant & Waterlooville (Tuesday, 7.45pm).

“One of the best signings we’ve made this year is physio Jess Bunce from Romsey Town, she’s worth her weight in gold,” said Kneller.

“Our lads are difficult, but she deals with them and if she says they’re not fit, they’re not fit. I’ve never gone over her head.

“They’ll see her at Havant tomorrow and again on Thursday night at the ground and we’ll see what's what.”

With a Southampton Senior Cup quarter-final tie awaiting them at Sholing next Thursday (February 8), tomorrow marks the start of an enormous week of knockout football for the Monks.

They go into it off the back of a fighting performance against Cowes.

Having taken the lead with a 25-yard Magookin free-kick, they were pegged back by a penalty conceded by Ricky Bull.

Nick Watts made it 2-1 with a deflected free-kick and then crossed for Coby Wilson to put clear daylight between the sides.

But the Islanders pushed again late on, having a penalty saved by Hamble goalkeeper Rory Anderson before John McKie made it 3-2 with three minutes to go.

“If we’re still in all the cups come next week I’ll be very surprised,” said Kneller.

"Tomorrow's one to enjoy at Havant. It’s a rarity that you play a Conference South club – particularly one that could be a Conference club next season.

"As long as we come away with our heads held high and no casualties, I’ll be happy.”