Mansfield Town goalkeeper Alan Marriott could be out of action for up to three months after being told he needs an operation on a groin injury.The 32-year-old had to be substituted half-way through the Stags' 5-2 home defeat to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Manager David Holdsworth told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We did have a diagnosis in the summer but we put it off and hoped that it may be alright."
The Stags boss is now looking to sign a replacement keeper before the weekend.
He said: "That goes without saying and I'll be addressing that accordingly."
The news of the severity of Marriott's injury followed Mansfield's second defeat in three games which saw them slip out of the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off places.
Captain Steve Foster said the influential shot-stopper will be missed.
He said: "He'll be a massive loss to us, he's an outstanding keeper... the best in the division."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport