SOUTHEND United midfielder Michael Timlin will not be spending an extended spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Timlin would have been facing a seven month lay-off if surgery had been required to cure the problem.

But a surgeon has now revealed the 31-year-old will not need an operation, much to the relief of Blues boss Phil Brown.

“It’s really good news that Michael doesn’t need an operation,” said Brown, whose side travel to table-topping Wigan Athletic in League One tomorrow.

“When Michael first suffered the injury a few weeks ago it was decided he would be given a month’s rest to see how it all settled down.

“Thankfully that seems to have done the trick because it would have been a real blow for him to have been out for so long.

“He probably won’t play again this season but he’ll be fine for pre-season and we want to get him back firing again for next year now.”