Keyhole Surgery Leaves Gough's Career in Ashes

Darren Gough's season is over after it was announced this morning that he would undergo his third operation this year on his troublesome right knee.

The Yorkshire fast bowler has been ruled out of the remainding Tests against India as well as the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next month.

"This is a setback for me and it's going to be very disappointing to miss so much cricket," Gough said.

However, he promised that this would not mark the end of his Test career and has set his sights on a return in time for the Ashes.

"I know that I can come back from this and at least I now have 11 weeks to concentrate on getting myself ready to have one last crack at the Australians in the Ashes this winter," he said.

Gough saw a specialist in Sheffield earlier this week after a two-week rest period and was still experiencing swelling and discomfort, prompting England to order further keyhole surgery.

Since first sustaining the injury during the final one-day international against New Zealand in Dunedin, Gough has been restricted to only four one-day internationals. He has not played a Test match since last summer's final match against Australia at the Oval.

The news is more positive for fellow England bowler Dominic Cork who injured his knee in the field yesterday on the first day of the second Test against India.

An x-ray revealed no bone damage and, judging by today's miserable forceast, he should have most of the day to recover.