United striker Joe Anyinsah has lost the battle against his troublesome lower stomach / groin injury and will see a specialist next week with a view to getting an operation on the area as soon as possible.

Anyinsah, 25, had injections recently in an attempt to calm things down but he pulled out of training on Friday morning when the problem resurfaced.

The lively forward has scored 11 goals in his 38 appearances this season with six of those coming in his last eight outings.

Club physio Dolly said: "He is going to need surgery sooner rather than later so we are going to get him in with a sepcialist next week.

"It's a similar operation to the one that Gav Rothery has just had so, depending on how it all heals, he could be out for anything between three and six weeks. We won't know the time frame for definite until we get him back to work."

It is hoped that Anyinsah will see the surgeon on Tuesday with the operation to follow as soon as possible thereafter.