WANDERERS have made a bid to save Joey O’Brien’s season by sending him to the US for knee surgery.

The unlucky Wanderers midfielder, who has not played since October, jetted out to Colorado on Friday to see leading specialist Richard Steadman.

He was given a minor knee operation over the weekend and could now be back in action by the end of April.

Whites assistant boss Chris Evans played down the severity of O’Brien’s injury and said the club maintain high hopes he could again play a part before the end of the season.

“Everything went well. Richard Steadman is the leading specialist in his field and Joey has known him previously,” he explained.

“The doctor was pleased with what he saw and the diagnosis was far better than had been feared.”

O’Brien has made just six starts for the club this season, the last of which came against Arsenal at the Reebok in September.

The Irish international was initially ruled out with a hamstring injury but later tore his thigh muscle on his return to training.

Wanderers hope his latest setback – which is not connected with the knee injury that once kept him out for nearly a year after he first burst on to the scene at the Reebok – will be his last.

“We wanted him to have the best treatment available, so we sent Joey with a member of our medical staff right away,” Evans said.

“The diagnosis was swift and favourable.

“We think that he could be back in about eight weeks, if everything goes according to plan.

“It will be nice to have him back available after a long time out on the sidelines.”