JOEY O’Brien has been forced to undergo a second knee operation in the last 12 months.

Having been out of action since last October, the Republic of Ireland international returned to training last month.

But his latest comeback lasted only a couple of weeks before being forced back on to the operating table.

The 23-year-old Dubliner made only eight appearances last season after spending time on the sidelines with hamstring and thigh injuries, and then flying to Colorado for corrective surgery under Dr Richard Steadman on his troublesome left knee.

After a further bout under the knife, O’Brien is now out of surgery and on crutches, although it is not known how long he will need to recover.