Havant & Waterlooville have announced that defender Harvey Laidlaw is set for a long spell on the sidelines after sustaining a significant tear to an ankle ligament.
On 24 October, the Hawks confirmed that scans and medical tests revealed damage to Laidlaw’s anterior talofibular ligament, also known as the ATFL. The club stated that it hopes the defender can return to action early in the New Year, which sets a recovery target for early 2027.
The injury happened on 26 September when Havant & Waterlooville hosted Taunton Town at Westleigh Park in the FA Trophy third qualifying round. Laidlaw had to be carried off on a stretcher during the game, which ended in a 3 to 2 defeat for the Hawks. The Non-League Football Paper’s match report covered the final score and Taunton’s advancement into the competition’s first round proper.
According to the club’s official injury update, Laidlaw went through multiple scans and tests before Havant & Waterlooville shared the diagnosis publicly. While the club noted that the tear is significant, it did not reveal the grade of the injury or state whether the player will need an operation.
The ATFL sits on the outer side of the ankle and plays a key role in keeping the joint stable. Damage to this ligament can limit a footballer’s ability to pivot, shift direction, and move freely on the pitch. How long a player takes to recover depends on the severity of the injury and the rehabilitation process.
Havant & Waterlooville have not set an exact date for Laidlaw’s comeback. Aiming for early in the New Year serves as an initial target rather than a firm guarantee, and his return to competitive football will depend on how his recovery progresses.
While the Hawks want the defender back in the squad as soon as he is fit, the diagnosis means the team must prepare to be without him for an extended period.
