Eastleigh Football Club has announced that their newly signed player, left-back Ben Drake, has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and is likely to miss the entire upcoming season. Drake, a 21-year-old who joined from Championship club Millwall last month after impressing during his loan spell at National League side Braintree Town in the previous season, made 22 appearances for them in the fifth tier league. He signed on a free transfer with Eastleigh after not making any senior appearances for Millwall.
In a statement released by the club, Eastleigh confirmed that Drake sustained the injury during their pre-season match against Crawley Town on July 25. The club stated, 'At this point, there is no definitive timescale for his return to action, but it is likely that he will miss the whole of the 2026/27 campaign.'
The Spitfires wish Drake a speedy recovery and will continue to support him throughout his rehabilitation process. Meanwhile, Eastleigh's National League season kicks off on Saturday with a home match against Gateshead.
Drake’s absence is a significant blow for the team as he was expected to contribute significantly in their upcoming campaign.
