Elokobi is ruled out for season

Wolves left-back George Elokobi is facing up to being out of first team football until next pre-season – but has vowed to return a better player.

The 22-year-old has been told the soonest he will be back in contention will be next summer. Elokobi is set to undergo surgery on damaged ligaments in his left knee next Wednesday, but has already been given the gloomy prognosis by club medics.

Wolves' head of the medical department Steve Kemp said: "George has damaged multiple ligaments in his knee.

"It's been scanned and we know some parts are damaged and others are torn or strained.

"He's having the operation next week and the important thing is to get rid of all the fluid in the joint to ensure the surgeon can produce the best results.

"We'll know more after the surgery but George is out for the season and his target will be next pre-season."

Elokobi is putting a brave face as he faces his absence, but has vowed to return stronger.

"It's a really serious injury so I should take my time and I'm happy to do that as long as I'm going to come back playing as well as I was before, if not better, before the injury," said the defender.

"I have no idea whether it's career-threatening. All I know is I'll be out for the rest of the season."