Jack Defty hopes to make his Lowestoft Town comeback in the Conference next season after surgery on the broken leg he sustained at Bury Town earlier this month.

The 31-year-old broke his tibia during the Blues' 1-1 draw at Ram Meadow, ruling him out for up to five months, but the striker believes the Trawlerboys will cope with his absence and go on to secure promotion.

Lowestoft will have to do it the hard way again through the play-offs after Whitehawk effectively sealed the title and automatic promotion at Leiston last weekend. But Defty is sure the Blues' strength in depth will come to the fore over the next few weeks to ensure he makes his Blues return in the Conference set-up next season.

'I think they can definitely cope,' said Defty, who has been a revelation for Craig Fleming's men this season, top scoring with 21 goals. 'We've got a really good squad and when players have dropped out we've always had someone else to come in and do a good job.

'We've got players like Frewy (Michael Frew) and Hakeem (Araba) who will definitely step up to the plate so I'm sure we can still get to where we want to be.'

Defty revealed his surgery was a success although he will have to wait at least three months before he can start embarking on a programme of rehabilitation.

'The surgeon was happy with how the operation went and it's going to all be about the recovery now,' said the former King's Lynn forward after having his tibia plated and screwed back together. 'The surgeon said I would have to be non-weight bearing for about three months so we are probably looking at four or five months before I can get back involved.'

Defty sustained the injury in an innocuous looking challenge with Bury skipper Tom Bullard, but the Blues' talisman knew immediately he had sustained a serious injury.

'I remember it well – their centre half had a bit of a heavy touch and we both went in for a 50/50 tackle but as I followed through I felt it,' he said. 'I didn't go to ground at the time but I knew I had broken it straight away. I heard it crack. I haven't had a bad injury before but I knew I had done something pretty serious.'

Defty admitted the amount of well wishers had kept his spirits up over the past week while his Lowestoft team-mates have adopted the catchphrase of 'win it for Defty' in their pursuit of promotion

'It's been really nice – it's been really good to see people wishing me all the best in my recovery and it does give you a lift,' he added.

Lowestoft travel to Wingate & Finchley tonight knowing victory would secure the runners-up spot in the Ryman League Premier. Second place would guarantee home advantage in the semi-finals, and potentially final, of the play-offs.

Lowestoft are likely to be without Greg Crane (toe) and Scott Mitchell (groin) while several other players are carrying knocks.