Barnes return some way off

Youngster may require further surgery

Last updated: 15th May 2008

Giles Barnes

Barnes: Knee problem

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Giles Barnes is set to miss the start of Derby's 2008/09 Championship campaign.

The talented teenager has been sidelined with a knee injury since the end of February and looks set to be out of action for some time yet.

He has been treated by renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman in Colorado and is due back in America next month for an assessment and a potential arthroscopic operation to look inside the problematic joint.

Rams boss Paul Jewell admits that the loss of their young playmaker has come as blow and does not expect to be able to call upon Barnes until the autumn.

"They seem quite pleased with things, but Giles will not be fit until September or October," he told the club's official website.

It is the second successive summer that the winger will miss pre-season training after he was forced to sit out preparations last year with a broken foot.

Ghaly doubt

Meanwhile, Jewell has admitted that there is little chance of making Hossam Ghaly's loan move from Tottenham into a permanent deal.

The Egyptian had been at Pride Park since January, but will now return to his parent club.

Jewell had appeared keen on signing the midfielder as the season came to a close, but accepts that the Rams' relegation may have scuppered those plans.

"Hossam had a really good spell for us, and when I spoke to him he said he would like to stay in the Premier League," he said.

"But if he couldn't find anything in the Premier League, he would come to Derby.

"But Hossam has played his last game for us now, I think, and we will be looking elsewhere."