AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley is going under the knife today and is expected to miss Saturday’s trip to Tranmere Rovers.

Ardley, who made more than 300 appearances for Wimbledon as a player, has a labral tear around his hip joint and must have surgery to fix the problem.

He has briefed assistant manager Neil Cox and Simon Bassey ahead of the Rovers clash and the pair will take charge of the team if Ardley is unable to attend the fixture.

The Dons boss will be on crutches for the next couple of weeks as he recovers from the operation.

AFC Wimbledon's management team: Neil Cox and Neal Ardley

Ardley said: “We did a lot of work on Tuesday, including preparing everything for training on Thursday and leading up to Saturday.

“We have been in constant dialogue about the team and stuff like that. Hopefully, they will not need me on Saturday!

“It is doubtful I will be there . We have put a process in place in case I feel up to it, but it might be too much for me.

“I am likely to be on crutches for two weeks and then it will be a long road back and maybe a number of months before I get back to where I want to be.

Calling the shots: AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley

“You cannot pick your time when it is being done through the NHS and I have been waiting for 18 months.

“I need some bone shaved off and I have a tear in my labral around the hip joint. This affects my left side. I can still take training, but the operation is more for my well-being.

“Similar to a lot of footballers, I think it is down to wear and tear. I cannot do much exercise and that is something I had got used to doing during the last 15 to 20 years.”

AFC Wimbledon are still in contention for the play-offs after a 1-0 win over Portsmouth last time out.