Telford's Paul McCone on the mend after successful op

The Bucks captain underwent surgery to repair his cruciate ligament a week ago and now faces six to nine months of rehabilitation.

But the 24-year-old has been told everything went as hoped and he's on course to rejoin the squad in the autumn.

"The operation went all as planned," said McCone. "I had to stay in hospital for one night but I was told that's common with that surgeon.

"The only thing he said was the scar might be a little bigger than usual because of where they had to pull the tendon through the bone it was tighter, but he said that was all normal. They 'blocked off' my leg so I had no feeling in it for 24 hours, then after that is when the pain comes!

"Believe it or not they want you to walk on it straight away – I'm on crutches but they're weight -bearing.

"They want to be moving my leg so it's straight and I'm close to getting a 90-degree bend in it and I can see the improvement already in a week.

"All being well, I should be off crutches just over two weeks post-op, and I'm having the stitches out in nine days' time.

"Then it's a case of building up all the muscles. I'll have more of a clue later today but they've told me I'll be straight-line running in three months, then I'll hopefully progress stage by stage to running and turning, then to kicking a ball.

"It's six to nine months before I'll be back playing again, but that depends on how much rehab you do.

"They say the more I do now, the better it is further down the line so this is a big month for me."

McCone, who works as a builder, has been off work since the operation but hopes to return to an office role next week.

Then he wants to find out when he can drive again, which will determine when he can return to watch Telford in action.