Monday Dec 18 2006 13:51
Brighton & Hove Albion hope to have Charlie Oatway back in contention for a first-team place in the new year after a 12-month injury lay-off.
The veteran midfielder suffered a badly broken ankle last Boxing Day but has undergone a final operation to have a metal plate removed from the joint.
"It's been a complete success and the surgeon is very happy with the state of the joint which went under repair earlier in the year," revealed physio Malcolm Stuart.
"He's now resting and recovering before stepping up his rehabilitation."
Oatway has made more than 220 appearances for the Seagulls since arriving from Brentford seven years ago.
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