Clare joined Rushden from Blue Square rivals Burton Albion (Getty)

Rushden & Diamonds striker Daryl Clare is set to miss the first eight weeks of the Blue Square Premier season.

The 30-year-old suffered a broken jaw during the 2-0 friendly defeat by an Arsenal XI at Nene Park on Thursday.

On a brighter note for Rushden, the game saw a return to action for influential midfielder Andy Burgess, who played for 60 minutes.

The match also featured Portuguese trialist Paulo Monteiro whose future at Rushden has yet to be decided.

However, Rushden manager Garry Hill told BBC Radio Northampton he has already made most of his decisions about his first 11, with just one pre-season friendly, against Tottenham, to come.

"I know which players will be in the starting line-up," he said. "I will have probably one or two little questions, but in my own mind I've got a fair idea."