DERMOT EARLEY’S PROSPECTS of playing for Kildare again are in doubt after manager Kieran McGeeney revealed that he is recovering from an operation on a serious back injury.
Earley underwent surgery last week on a back spasm after incurring the injury in the warm-up to last month’s league game against Dublin in Croke Park.
The long-serving midfielder turns 35 this summer and has signalled this is likely to be his last senior inter-county season.
He has been hampered by injury problems in recent years after tearing his cruciate ligament twice.
And McGeeney revealed that the Sarsfields midfielder’s main concern now is regaining proper mobility.
“Dermot’s under a lot of pressure. He had an operation last week and it remains to be seen if it’s successful.
“Dermot’s in a lot of trouble, at the minute. His thoughts are probably to do more with walking again. He’s struggling with a lot of pain.
“He needs time to recuperate. He’s in a lot of pain but we’re hoping that the operation last week will help him.
“Over the years, he’d have had a lot of wear and tear on his discs. His main priority at the minute is just to have no pain.”
The Lilywhites saw their league campaign draw to a close with yesterday’s semi-final defeat against Tyrone.
They now turn their attention to their Leinster senior football quarter-final tie against Offaly on June 1st.
