Dons boss allays Garrard injury scare

2:38pm Tuesday 17th July 2007

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Terry Brown has allayed fears that AFC Wimbledon ace Luke Garrard could be sidelined for up to five weeks with a stomach injury.

Garrard, who is expected to battle it out with Will Salmon for the right-back slot next season, pulled up in pre-season training with an abdominal strain last week.

The former Spurs and Swindon Town man missed Saturday's 4-1 pre-season friendly victory over Tooting & Mitcham and it was feared the Dons young player of the year may need a hernia operation, ruling him out for up to five weeks.

But Brown has moved quickly to quell the injury scare and says the defender cum midfielder could be in line for a swift return to action on Saturday against Brentford.

The Dons boss said: "Luke has got a stomach pull but it's nothing more than that - he might even be available for Saturday.

"We had thought that he might need a hernia operation - but that's not the case from what the physio tells me. We are not going to rush him back though, so if he is not available for Saturday then we'll give him more time to recover."