Thursday Sep 29 2005 14:30
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell fears that defender Stephen Crainey could need surgery on a groin injury which will rule him out for the rest of the season.
The 23-year-old former Celtic and Southampton full-back picked up the problem in early October, not long after joining the Whites, but it has so far failed to respond to rest or treatment.
The situation is starting to concern Blackwell who believes that an operation could be the only avenue left to take for Crainey - and that would keep him out for the remainder of this campaign.
If that is the next course of action then the Elland Road chief realises he will have to start searching for a replacement.
He told the club's official website: "If things don't work out he might need an operation which will be a massive blow.
"At the moment we have to play it by ear, but it does not look good for Stephen.
"If he's going to be out for a long length of time then I would have to look at bringing someone else in."
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