The midfielder fractured the tibia and fibula of his right leg and is in Tameside Hospital waiting for an operation. If all goes well, he could be out of his leg brace by the end of the year and maybe able to start jogging in January. However, as co-boss Peter Band put it, “it all depends what they find in there”.
Band added: “I’ve been speaking to Callum’s family and it looks like he’ll need plates and screws in the leg. But our main concern is helping him make ends meet while he’s unable to make any money.
“He works as a delivery driver for Asda and has two children. It’s really going to hit him when he’s not earning — that’s why the players have agreed to forfeit their wages this Sunday when we play at Northwich Victoria.
“Hyde United have very kindly agreed to let Callum have the gate money from the replay, and with a couple of charity events we’ll hopefully be able to see him and his family through to Christmas.
“You really have to feel for him because he’s had more than his share of bad luck. His Stalybridge Celtic career was ended by a snapped Achilles and now, just as he was coming back, this happens. It could have happened to anyone, but it had to happen to Callum. We’ll just have to help him the best we can.”
On a bad night for Tameside football, Stalybridge Celtic defender Sam Tatum suffered a compound fracture of the leg at Droylsden and could be out for the rest of the season.