Croft out for two months after weekend operation

Croft
By Sean Wozencroft
July 30 2003

Gary Croft must watch the opening two months of the season from the sidelines after undergoing an operation on the weekend. The defender went under the knife to remove his appendix.

Crofty was rushed to Adenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on Friday night with acute appendicitis after returning from Scandinavia with the rest of the squad.

Croft's Saturday night operation lasted two hours as surgeons removed his split appendix.

Croft's pre-season form had been good and the former Ipswich man was hoping to establish himself in the first team at the start of the campaign. The left-back will now be out for at least six weeks.

"Sam has rung me in hospital and I told him I'm hoping to be back in six weeks' time," said the 29-year old.

"But he replied it would be two months before I could come back and he's probably right because for the first two weeks I can't do anything at all.

"I've spoken to Len Noakes (club doctor) and he said for the first two weeks after the operation I must not do anything physical.

"I've had open surgery and I have to let everything settle. I'm not allowed to do things like running and weights."

Croft featured in all three of City's friendlies in Scandinavia and was due to start Saturday's friendly against Cambridge.

He has now set himself a target return date of September 27 when Crewe travel to Ninian Park.

"I'm really disappointed about what has happened. I think the gaffer was going to play me against Cambridge as well," added Croft.

"I thought I did well in our last match, against IFK Malmo. I enjoyed that game and I was hoping to push for a starting place in our first League game at Rotherham."

Chris Barker, Croft's room-mate and close friend, will fill the gap in City's defence.