Bristol City midfielder Stephen Pearson looks likely to miss the majority of the season after undergoing surgery on an ankle problem.
Pearson has not featured for the League One side since April, but manager Sean O'Driscoll is hopeful that the Scot could return before the end of the campaign.
The 56-year-old told the club's official website: "A similar operation on the knee and you would be looking at 12 months, but on the ankle, probably six months.
"His aim now is to make sure that he gets as fit as possible for the latter part of the season.
"I think he tried to put it off for some time. It's just a straightforward clean up really, so he should have no problems with his rehab as long as he does it properly."
The 30-year-old has scored six times in 67 appearances for the club.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
