Tom Kearney will go under the knife four days before his 21st birthday.

Surgeon Steve Bollen plans to carry out a knee construction operation on October 3 which will rule out the highly-rated midfielder until next season.

But Gary Walsh faces another wait before finding out the extent of the problem in his left knee. He is due to go back to the Yorkshire Clinic for further tests.

City physio Steve Redmond said: "Gary's feeling a little bit better and the scans have not shown any deterioration from how it was before. The surgeon wants him to spend the next seven to ten days doing some rehab work before having another look to see whether anything needs to be done."

Andy Tod was today having a double hernia operation in London with Harley Street specialist David Gilmour. Because it is on both sides of the groin, the Scottish utility player could be sidelined for up to six weeks.

But skipper David Wetherall is in line to return at Walsall next weekend-- and could even be ready to face Wrexham in the Worthington Cup on Tuesday.

Redmond said: "He is progressing perfectly and the extra few days before our next game definitely helps.

We're initially looking at the Walsall match but if he does well over the weekend and he is fit for Wrexham then he could play."

Peter Atherton has started light training after damaging his groin against Ipswich ten days ago. He has an outside chance of being ready for the trip to the Bescot Stadium on September 14.