CHIPPENHAM Town captain Greg Tindle faces six months on the sidelines as he awaits surgery on a hip injury.

Tindle, who captained the Bluebirds to the Southern League Premier Division title two years ago, has a tear in the ring of cartilage around the outside rim of his hip joint and will go under the knife to alleviate the problem.

Manager Mark Collier said: "Following a scan and specialist report, Greg has a labral tear in his hip which will require surgery.

"We are currently awaiting a confirmed date for this, however, initial prognosis suggests roughly six months out following the procedure.''

Town already have goalkeeper Will Puddy out long term, the gloveman's knee currently being in a brace following a ligament injury.

Puddy is expected to be out of action until December with the Bluebirds currently playing Bradley House, on loan from Championship side West Bromwich Albion, between the posts.

Meanwhile midfielder Alex Ferguson is expected to resume training soon after an ankle injury sustained in the defeat at Eastbourne Borough last month.