URE NEEDS AN OPERATION

Derek Ure has withdrawn from Shire's pre-season plans to have an operation on a persistent knee problem.

The club's longest-serving player has been troubled by the injury since the end of last term, but decided to put off any surgery and take part in the build-up for the new campaign.

But Shire coach Jim McInally has revealed that strategy has not worked.

"Derek has told me he can't continue because of the pain he's getting," he said. "So he will be withdrawn until such time as he has the operation to fix the problem.

"The good thing is, it should just be a tidy-up job and as soon as it's fixed he'll be back with us.

"I have to admit it's a blow because he is an important player and we are running with a smaller squad this year," said the Shire coach.