Darikwa Out For At Least Four Weeks

Tendayi Darikwa will be out for at least a month because he needs surgery to cure a hernia problem. He saw a specialist on Tuesday about a groin problem that forced him off the pitch at Rochdale. A bilateral inguinal was diagnosed meaning he will undergo surgery next week.

Jamie Hewitt speaking to the official website said:'It's a common injury in football so it doesn't cause undue concern. The recovery time is around four to five weeks.'

He will be huge loss to the team, the right winger as been a revelation this season, having been given his chance by Tommy Wright the then caretaker manager at Northampton because of injuries.

Tommy Wright told BBC Sport : We had a few injuries and I knew he would work hard. Since then he has flourished. What has happened to him in the last six months is massive. It has got to the point where you can see other teams worrying about how to stop him.'

He won the League Two Young Player of the Month Award for December. He has been watched by Phillip Zulu a Zimbabwean footballing coach because his parents were born their he can play for them. Tendayi who was born in Nottingham feels his future is with England. Darikwa doesn't want to renounce his British citizenship and, with dual citizenship outlawed in this country, the young player as resisted calls for him to consider a future with the Warriors.

He has also been watched in recent weeks by Liverpool and Everton with talks of a £2 million deal mentioned. Although with the transfer window now shut it could possibly happen in the Summer.

It's likely that Drew Talbot will come in to replace Tendayi against AFC Wimbledon if he has recovered from his broken toe. Paul Cook felt that Tendayi was running out of steam and was due a rest, suddenly coming from being a fringe player to playing week in week out is difficult and especially Tendayi who works really hard for 90 minutes. This can only mean that he will come back a fitter more refreshed and even more determined player.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.