Accrington Stanley club captain Seamus Conneely is to undergo surgery on a troublesome groin hernia at Royal Blackburn Hospital this week.
The injury has restricted the 29-year-old to just two appearances since Stanley's goalless draw at Cambridge United back on November 11th.
Conneely made a return to action at Lincoln in mid-December but broke down again the following week in the first-half against Crawley, at the Wham Stadium.
It's been decided that surgery is the best option for recovery and Conneely, who is hoping to make a quick return to action, said: "It's frustrating to be out because the games are starting to come thick and fast at an important time of the season.
"But I've tried to come back and couple of times now and broken down, so it's been decided that surgery on my groin is going to be the best option for me going forward.
"I've been told that it can take around four to eight weeks to rehabilitate, but I was speaking to Janoi [Donacien] who had a similar op and he was back within a month, so that's my target.
"Hopefully I can get back out there with the lads and help push us towards our target of promotion."
Stanley's skipper has made 21 appearances this season and scored the decisive goal during the 1-0 win away to Forest Green.