Alain Goma has said he wants to be back in first-team action by December after undergoing knee surgery a fortnight ago.

The French defender insists the injury has paid a major part in his disappointing start to the season and said he just could not postpone the operation any longer.

He said: “I was able to manage for a while. It was getting worse though and we no choice about doing the operation if I wanted to be 100% fit. I just need to recover my strength.”