Naylor could miss season start

Back operation to curtail Whites stopper's involvement

Last updated: 26th June 2009  

Naylor could miss season start

Naylor: Back operation

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Leeds United defender Richard Naylor could miss the start of the new season after undergoing a back operation.

Whites manager Simon Grayson has confirmed the experienced defender had surgery earlier this week to resolve a long-standing complaint.

Naylor solidified Leeds' defence after joining from Ipswich last term, initially on loan, and went on to win the captain's armband under Grayson.

Although Grayson is disappointed Naylor will miss the club's pre-season preparations he believes that going down that route is better than losing him for any significant period of time when the season gets up and running.

"Nayls went in for an op on his back this week," Grayson told the club's official website. "He struggled last year with it.

Specialist

"He's been having treatment over summer, but after speaking to the specialist, it was decided for an operation.

"It is a blow because he's going to be out for six weeks or so which means he could miss the start of the season. It might not be that long, but could be.

"We'd prefer him to miss six weeks of pre-season rather than the main season when he could break down.

"We decided to take this action now and hope he is fit, but it's touch and go. We're talking six weeks from the operation to back playing.

"We have good physios and he'll do his rehab. He may be short on games when the season comes around, but we can cram a few in for him to bring him up to speed."