Blackburn Rovers star's op a success
10:09am Wednesday 14th May 2008
MATT Derbyshire will be fit and raring to go for the start of pre-season training after he underwent surgery yesterday.
The England Under 21 international, who was playing through the pain barrier during the final weeks of the season, has had an operation to repair a double hernia.
It is thought Derbyshire will be sidelined for a total of four weeks, but Rovers' medical staff are confident he will make a complete recovery in time to join in with the rest of the squad when they return for training in early July.
A member of the medical staff said: "The operation went well and we expect to see Matt back in training again in the next four weeks.
"He will come in for some rehabilitation work over the summer and should be ready to join in with the rest of the lads when they come back."
Derbyshire first began struggling with the injury in February but delayed surgery until the end of the season so he could play a part during the run-in.
In the meantime, Rovers will reveal who they plan to release early next week.
Several members of the first-team squad, including Tugay, Peter Enckelman, Stephane Henchoz and Bruno Berner, are out of contract this summer and Hughes is due to speak with all of them over the next few days, when he will outline his intentions.
Enckelman has already emerged as a target for Cardiff City, who are willing to tempt the Finn to Ninian Park with the offer of a three-year contract.
Berner and Henchoz, meanwhile, are almost certain to be released, having failed to play a significant part last term.
Hughes' biggest dilemma concerns Tugay, who turns 38 this summer but believes he can play on at Premier League for at least another year.