IPSWICH frontman Nicky Forster's season is all but over.The club's most experienced striker will not be fully fit until April after being forced to undergo a second cartilage operation since moving from Reading last summer.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH frontman Nicky Forster's season is all but over.

The club's most experienced striker will not be fully fit until April after being forced to undergo a second cartilage operation since moving from Reading last summer.

He entered hospital yesterday for an exploratory op after persistent knee problems kept him sidelined.

The surgeon discovered a tear in Forster's medial cartilage and removed part of it. Club physio David Williams said: “He is out of hospital now and will begin his rehab almost immediately.

“But it will take longer than normal because more of the cartilage has been removed.

“At the moment we are probably looking at Fozzie being out for around two months. Hopefully he will be back for April.”

But with the current campaign due to end on April 30 it is possible that Town fans have seen the last of Forster until next term.

Boss Joe Royle said: “It isn't major but we are

talking between six and eight weeks so there isn't going to be a lot of the season left for Nicky.

“It's very sad for him. He is desperate to do well and we have definitely missed him.”

Since marking his debut with the only goal in the opening-day home win over Cardiff, it has been a frustrating campaign for the 32-year-old striker.

Within a few days of that memorable start to life as an Ipswich player, Forster had surgery to remove a cartilage and was absent from the club's next eight games.

After playing a part in 12 of Town's next 14 games, during which he netted the only goal in the 1-0 away success at Sheffield Wednesday, his knee problem flared up again.

He has been absent from the last six games after having to be replaced just 27 minutes into the 2-0 defeat at Hull on December 28.

Meanwhile, Ipswich are hoping that midfield pair Gavin Williams and Jimmy Juan will be fit for the East Anglian derby clash with Norwich at Carrow Road on Sunday.

Juan, who missed Tuesday's 1-1 home draw with Leeds through suspension, has a heel injury and Williams, also absent two days ago, is still feeling the effects of a jarred knee.

Royle is confident, however, that both players will be fit to add to his midfield options at the weekend.

Town's game at Norwich kicks off at 11.15am and is being broadcast live on Sky Sports.