DEL OP A SUCCESS

Derek Ure has undergone an operation on his troublesome knee injury.

The procedure was carried out by surgeons who corrected cartilage damage which had been giving him problems for some time.

The operation has been judged a success and Derek will now face a four to six week recovery period.

Shire's longest-serving player is thanking the club for paying to have the treatment privately after being told he would be out for almost the entire season if he went through the NHS.

"When I bent my knee it was locking, but I  thought it was one of those things I  could play through," he said. "I  started pre-season training but it just got worse, to the point where I  couldn't put any weight on it without being in pain."

That's when he went to his GP,  but the consultation held a surprise for the Shire man.

"The doctor told me if I  was to go on the NHS  it would be the end of February before I  would get the operation, and there would be a further six week recovery period.

"I  was shell-shocked because I  knew that would mean missing almost the entire season. I  thought to myself, 'I can't be out for that long', so I  am grateful to the club for helping me out."

Derek is one player who has always been vital to Jim McInally's plans. His versitility led the coach, last season, to describe him as, "the first name on the teamsheet every week".

So there is no surprise Jim is also relieved at getting the player back much sooner than first appeared to be the case.

"We are operating with a much thinner squad this season," he said. "That limits you in terms of changes you can make every week, so getting him back will be a real bonus for us.

"Derek has been told he will face four to six weeks before he can come back, but knowing him, he will try to do it in half that time."

An exclusive pre-op interview with Derek is now available to watch on shireTV.