WIMBORNE Town defender Adam Costello could spend up to three months on the sidelines having torn cartilage in his knee.

Costello, 25, must wait another week before specialists decide whether he needs an operation on his damaged medial meniscus, although consultants are hopeful he can avoid going under the knife.

The former Christchurch centre-half also strained ligaments during last Saturday’s 3-1 FA Trophy defeat to Larkhall Athletic and is set to miss at least a month.

Costello told the Daily Echo: "My knee still has good movement and isn't locking so, fingers crossed, I don't need surgery.

"I could be looking at anything from four to 12 weeks out, which is annoying but you have to look on the positives, it could have been a lot worse if my ligaments had been torn.

"Now, I just have to get through the rehab properly and come back stronger."

As reported by the Daily Echo yesterday, winger Luke Holmes's return to Cuthbury has been confirmed. 

The ex-Cherries winger will be available when third-bottom Magpies host Marlow in Southern South & West on Saturday (3pm).