Wilde consults top surgeon
By Huw Griffith

Thursday 13th January 2005

ADAM Wilde will undergo surgery in a desperate bid to correct his trouble some recurring groin injury.

The winger is to travel to London to consult with top sports surgeon Jerry Gilmore ahead of an operation next month.

Boss Steve Johnson hopes the former Worcester City man will return fighting fit by the end of March.

He said: "It's been a frustrating few months for Adam but we hope this surgery will solve the problem once and for all.

"We've looked at various ways of treating the injury and Adam has undergone countless hours of therapy at the club.

"But we've decided to sort out a consultation with Dr Gilmore, who is widely regarded as one of the best in his field, ahead of an operation.

"Adam has a history of groin injuries but this latest one came when he was on fire for me after I joined the club last November.

"All being well, he'll be back before the end of the season and battling for a first team place."

Club doctor Steve Bick said: "We've arranged for Adam to travel to see Jerry Gilmore who is widely regarded as the top man in the country for treating sporting groin injuries.

"A consultation will happen in London next week with an operation taking place the following week.

"Dr Gilmore reports a 97 per cent success rate and his patients are usually able to return to action after about six weeks or so.

"We have taken a lot of steps to try and put an awful lot of time in as a club to try and correct Adam's injury since he joined the club in the summer.

"It has proved difficult and we've now decided arranging an operation is the best way forward."

Defender Dave Waterman is also set to go under the knife next week to correct an ankle problem and is set to return to training in a fortnight.

Meanwhile Johnson has conceded defeat in his audacious bid to sign Sheffield United midfielder Ashley Sestanovich.

"Sheffield United were happy with the fee we offered them and everything looked good," he said.

"But the lad's agent has advised him not to make the move because he feels we're not good enough as a club for him.

"It's strange advice in a way because Ashley is in a difficult situation at the moment.

"Sheffield United sent him out on a season long loan to Grimsby meaning he cannot play for United again this season.

"Grimsby have terminated his loan with them and sent Ashley back to United leaving him in limbo.

"With us he'd get first team football, which he is not getting at the moment, but if he is getting certain advice, it is up to him what he wants to do.

I'm now looking at other options."