Cherries: Molesley out until 2010 (From Thisisdorset)

Cherries: Molesley out until 2010

7:00am Monday 2nd November 2009 in Sport By Neil Perrett

CHERRIES’ diminishing resources have been further rocked by the long-term loss to injury of key midfielder Mark Molesley.

Molesley is this week due to discover the full extent of a persistent foot problem when his case is reviewed by a team of medical specialists.

But the 28-year-old, who will go under the knife a week tomorrow, has already been told he is likely to be ruled out until early next year.

Molesley had been hoping to play through the pain barrier but was forced to concede defeat after breaking down in training last week.

Despite returning to action a fortnight ago having spent a month on the sidelines, Molesley’s comeback was aborted after just two games.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Molesley said: “I’m just hoping it’s not too serious and I won’t be out for too long.

“I always knew I would have to have the operation at some stage but was desperate to try anything to keep playing for as long as I could.

“I volunteered to have painkillers before the Rochdale game but I would have run the risk of doing damage elsewhere if I’d played.

“It was frustrating trying to play through the injury and I was probably clutching at straws thinking I might get to the end of the season.

“It’s unfortunate things haven’t worked out but I am determined to get back as quickly as possible because I want to give my best.”

Molesley added: “I played against Grimsby and had a few twinges. I started getting a few other problems which were related to the foot and couldn’t finish the game.

“I tried to train on Tuesday but couldn’t even get through the warm-up. My foot kept going from underneath me and I had to bite the bullet.

“I have been provisionally booked in for the operation next Tuesday and they are going to review my scans to ascertain the best course of action.

“They need to drill into the foot to shave the bone. Initially, they said they would have to go in on the top but they may be able to go in through the side, which would be better.”

News of Molesley’s injury capped a bitter-sweet week for the popular Londoner whose wife Charlene gave birth to their first child, Olivia, in Poole Hospital on Friday.

He added “It was the highlight of my life and I was just disappointed I couldn’t celebrate by playing against Rochdale.”

Asked whether he felt the club’s ongoing transfer embargo was in any way responsible for his predicament, Molesley replied: “It probably forced the manager’s hand but I would have tried to force him to let me play anyway. I would have done the same, even if we’d had a full squad.”