MARC Tierney stands to miss at least five months of the season after surgery on his broken foot.

The full-back suffered a fracture close to his ankle during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Yeovil at the Reebok and will not now return to action until March at the earliest.

Tierney saw a specialist earlier in the week who advised surgery, which is due to be carried out today.

The summer signing from Norwich City had made nine appearances this season. His absence leaves the Whites without a recognised senior left-back, although Tim Ream and Alex Baptiste have both covered the role in the last few months.