Albion marksman Darren Freeman is facing a second hernia operation.

Last season's top scorer will be booked in for further surgery this week, destroying his hopes of an October comeback.

Freeman had a double hernia operation on September 8.

Manager Micky Adams revealed: "It hasn't settled down as the surgeon thought it would.

"He requires another operation and will have that some time this week.

"It's similar to the one he had before, although I understand it's a single hernia this time on the left side.

"It's a blow for Darren, but at the moment the team is going well.

"He is the type of lad who has got to be right and that's why we are getting it done."

Freeman's last appearance was in the home defeat by Kidderminster on August 28.

He hoped to be back in action this month, but the 27-year-old former Gillingham, Fulham and Brentford forward now faces at least another three weeks on the sidelines.

Warren Aspinall has also suffered a further injury blow.

He has been back in hospital in Southampton for treatment to an infection in the ankle which he had career-saving surgery on last month.

Meanwhile, Charlie Oatway is battling to be fit for tomorrow night's game against Hartlepool at Withdean.

The central midfielder saw a specialist last night about a nagging back problem which has restricted his training and led to him being substituted in the closing stages of last Saturday's goalless home draw against Scunthorpe.

Nathan Jones has recovered from a minor eye injury sustained in the same match.

Albion's fringe first teamers were denied a run-out last night when a reserve team friendly at Folkestone was washed out.

The reserves are not back in action in the Avon Insurance Combination League until next month.