Town boss Roy Keane says Damien Delaney’s thigh injury could have ended the defender's career had the Blues’ medical staff not got him to hospital a quickly as they did. The 28-year-old underwent two operations over the weekend after suffering the injury in training and is expected to be out of action for three months.

Keane says the injury, which is similar to the one suffered by Tottenham's Christian Ziege a few years ago, initially appeared to be just a routine dead leg: “It was just a tackle in training, but he carried on the session and it was only afterwards he started feeling the discomfort. The doctor was called and he went straight to the hospital.

“We’re lucky we’re two minutes from the hospital and as soon as they brought him down there they took him off for an operation.

“He had the first operation on Thursday afternoon and had another operation on Saturday. It’s a serious injury and he’ll probably be out for three months.”

The Blues boss says Delaney was fortunate that a potentially more serious situation was averted: “He’s a very lucky boy. He was very lucky our medical staff got him to the hospital very quickly and they operated very quickly.

“There was a lot of bleeding and they had to open up his leg, but we believe the surgery went very well.

“It could have been the end of his career, very much so. It’s a big blow to us, a big blow.”

Keane says he probably won't look at signing anyone as cover for the former Hull City and QPR man, challenging Tommy Smith, Alex Bruce and Troy Brown to win themselves a place in the side: "I think we might have to cover but we'll wait and see. We'll have a look at it over the next few days."

Meanwhile, Town chief scout Steve McCall was at his former club Plymouth’s pre-season game against NAC Breda on Saturday afternoon. McCall met fellow former Blues Paul Mariner, who is currently coaching the Pilgrims, and Breda-based Romeo Zondervan at the match, which Argyle won 1-0.

Elsewhere, ex-Town loanee Franny Jeffers is training with Blackpool having been released by Sheffield Wednesday.

Photo: Action Images

Doctor_Albran added 14:18 - Jul 19 Legoman, think RetroBlue is the better choice, my terminology was all wrong! as such I'll happily be Dr Chase - corrected by House, a happy fella, seems to do alright with the ladies, although now settled down with Kirk's mum (Star Trek film reference!) and has a bit of a funny accent - Now if I could just get some of his money! Darren Purse would be good cover (although I'm aware I'm commenting on a sighting from distance of a man walking his dog), but I'd favour giving Smith a run - the boy coped at a world cup and should be given a chance to prove himself and if we play 4-3-3 Keane should be able to give greater protection at centre half by having 2 of the centre 3 playing slightly deeper.

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dubblue added 15:01 - Jul 19 Here's hoping for a speedy recovery. Don't think there is a need for a loanee....yet.
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MarkITFC added 15:37 - Jul 19 On skysports it said he had a blood clot ! Hope he isnt out tooo long as best defender maybe behind Mac , going to be missed had a great last few months of season when keano played him in his right postion ..
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jas0999 added 17:30 - Jul 19 Get well soon Damien. You will be missed. With Bruce not good enough (off to Sheffield U maybe) we need more cover at centre half.
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BlueFinn added 17:39 - Jul 19 I hope it all turns out well for Damien and the team.Time for our World Cup hero Tommy Smith to take his place in the starting eleven now as the cover is suddenly thin in central defence.Troy Brown and Tom Eastman next in line. If only the other Keano misfits like Priskin and Martin could reinvent themselves like Delaney did after a bad start in the club last autumn.
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SiBo added 22:01 - Jul 19 BlueFinn: Those who have seen the pre-season friendlies say Martin has looked OK... maybe he has made that step up. Let's hope hey... (OK, they also say Priskin has been pants, but you can't have it all)
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