CHRIS LAKEY Norwich City goalkeeper Robert Green may not return to action until October at the earliest. City physio Neal Reynolds said the picture was clearer today, three days after Green underwent surgery on his damaged groin.

CHRIS LAKEY

Norwich City goalkeeper Robert Green may not return to action until October at the earliest.

The initial prognosis suggested that Green's recovery from the ruptured groin which robbed him of a place in England's World Cup squad would rule him out for the beginning of the Championship season, scheduled to begin on August 5.

But City physio Neal Reynolds said the picture was clearer today, three days after Green underwent surgery on his damaged groin.

“The original assessment that he is likely to miss the start of the season is still the case, with the surgeon estimating something in the region of three to four months being the likely time-frame,” said Reynolds.

It is a blow not just to Green but also to City, who are still not sure whether or not Green's deputy, Scotland international Paul Gallacher, will be staying at Carrow Road, having not yet put pen to paper on a new contract offer. Darren Ward has already been released, leaving untested youngster Joe Lewis as the only player currently certain to be available for opening day.

Should Green not be available until October, he could miss a quarter of City's league campaign - by October 1 last season the Canaries had played 11 Championship matches and two Carling Cup ties.

The situation may add credence to reports linking City with Bradford stopper Donovan Ricketts, although that particular transfer rumour would appear to have little substance.

Green underwent surgery in Bradford on Saturday evening, 48 hours after he collapsed in agony during the England B game against Belarus.

“During the operation some of the damaged muscle tissue was repaired and in general it went as well as could be hoped,” said Reynolds. “Robert is recovering well, all things considered. He will be on crutches for the next two to three weeks and then it's a case of sitting down and working out his rehabilitation programme moving forward.”

It's how Green comes through his rehab programme that will be important, although Reynolds did sound an optimistic note.

“(But) one thing I will say is that Robert always gives it the absolute maximum when he is in rehab, so we will just have to see how things go in the weeks ahead,” he said.