August 29 2006

Ben Watson

Ben Watson will miss the next two weeks due to a hernia operation.

Watson missed Saturday's clash with Burnley and will meet the same surgeon who treated Marco Reich and Wayne Andrews.

Manager Peter Taylor said: "Ben is going to Germany for a hernia operation next week. It might mean he misses a couple of matches, but we’ve got to get it right.

"The first thing I did was get Ben - along with TOM SOARES - to sign new contracts. That’s how much I rate him.

"We’ve got a very good midfield at the minute and Ben is part of that. I’m sure once he has the op done he’ll be back to his best and I’m sure playing for a place.

"I don’t think he’s been carrying it for a while, but I don’t think he has been feeling 100 per cent happy.

"I think he could still get through a game now. But at half-time and at the end of games, he ends up being a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I imagine after the Southampton game he’ll be back."