Abbott to face surgery soon

Pawel Abbott

DAVE PENNEY has admitted that striker Pawel Abbott will require a hernia operation “sooner rather than later.”

The Athletic manager believes the 27-year-old forward will not be able to play through the pain barrier for much longer.

But Penney reckons it is also a case of timing surgery so that leading scorer Abbott misses as few matches as possible.

Penney said: “Pawel has been great by continuing to play despite needing a hernia operation sooner rather than later.

“It depends on how long he can put up with the pain. When he is playing well and scoring goals, as he is doing, it doesn’t hurt as much.”

Abbott manages to get through games without too much pain or discomfort, but he does suffer soreness following matches.

Penney added that the medical experts have been alerted about the injury and to be ready to operate at short notice when Abbott can no longer continue.

The Athletic manager is full of praise for Abbott, saying had there been a fully-fit squad he could well have already had the operation.

Abbott, despite the injury, has started in every league match and featured in every fixture and is the team’s top scorer with four goals.

Striker Nick Blackman has suffered no reaction to playing for the reserves against Manchester United on Monday.

The 19-year-old striker, on loan from Blackburn Rovers, had missed four matches with a foot injury, but was able to train normally yesterday.