(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
Bolton Wanderers captain Darren Pratley is facing more time on the sidelines after undergoing recent surgery.
Pratley, 31, suffered a fractured bone in his leg, and ankle ligament damage, on the opening day of the season against Sheffield United, and has been out of action since.
It was thought a return to first-team action was close for the experienced midfielder, after he recently started training again, but a problem linked to the injury suffered against the Blades means Pratley could be out until the end of the season.
Manager Phil Parkinson told the club's official website: “It's massively disappointing for Darren who underwent another operation yesterday
“There was a problem with the scar tissue around the original injury and Darren felt that he couldn't carry on as it was.
“He wasn't able to contribute like he wanted to and he's a very, very honest lad. We made a decision with him and Matt Barrass, our physiotherapist, to get the additional operation done now and hopefully it's gone well.
“There's a lot of trauma involved in his injury and it's a real shame for both Darren and ourselves.
“We'll move on though and wish him all the best in his recovery.”
