Good news for Piper

Midfielder Matty Piper has been given some good news in relation to his seemingly never-ending battle to recover from injuries.

Piper has been recovering from a knee injury and had originally been told by respected US surgeon Dr Richard Steadman - who has successfully treated Ronaldo, van Nistelrooy and Alan Shearer - that he should expect to miss the whole of the 2004/05 season.

But Dr Steadman has revised his opinion following surgery on Piper, and now estimates that the midfielder could be back in action in around four months.

An understandably pleased and optimistic Piper said today, "Dr Steadman has said there should be no more problems - which is brilliant considering my record!

"He wants me to do leg-strengthening straight away.

"It seems that I've been in the treatment room for as long as I can remember but I'm confident this will be the end of it."