Uwe Rosler today flies home to Germany to discover if he will need a hernia operation which would keep him out of action for around a month.

The Saints striker (pictured right) has been hampered by the problem since the game at Charlton early last month and although he has battled on bravely, he has now been forced to concede defeat.

A specialist here has already recommended an operation and Rosler will tonight seek a second opinion - but he has already been booked in to go under the knife tomorrow morning in Munich.

He said: "It is not 100 per cent certain - but it looks that way. A specialist in London says I need the operation and if the one in Germany agrees then I will have it done tomorrow.

"This surgeon is highly recommended for groins and doing it this way means I have a hope of being back in training in around three weeks so I will take a chance on that.

"I have had pain for the past month now and it has affected my game. I was able to train and play but only with pain-killers.

"This type of injury gets worse the longer the game goes on and it has now come to a point where I could not continue and I needed to see a specialist."

Rosler had surgery on one groin during the summer but now needs the other side mending which will certainly rule him out of the trip to Everton a week on Saturday.

Assistant manager John Gorman said: "Uwe has been carrying it for a while which is why he has not been so sharp.

"To his credit he has battled on but now he is going to have an operation. We decided that since we have two weeks without a game he would be better having it done now.

"It is disappointing for him but it seems that when players have one groin done they seem to need the other one doing soon afterwards."

Saints have again cut prices for their Worthington League Cup third round tie at home to Coventry on Wednesday, November 1.

They will be £15 for adults and £5 for children, the same price as the club charged for the second round clash with Mansfield but without the early booking discount.

Season ticket holders can purchase their own seats from 9am tomorrow until 4.30 on Tuesday October 17. Members can buy any unsold tickets from 9am on Thursday Octber 19 until 4.30 on Wednesday October 25. Any remaining seats will go on general sale on Thursday October 26.

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