Aaron McCarey: Wolves reserve keeper undergoes back surgery

McCarey has represented the Republic of Ireland from Under-17 through to Under-21 level

Wolves goalkeeper Aaron McCarey faces a lengthy spell out of action following an operation on his back.

"It's quite serious," said head coach Kenny Jackett. "I would estimate two to three months. Aaron has a disc in his back that's basically bulging and needed correction through surgery.

"It's something that's been ongoing - he's felt it pretty much all season."

McCarey's injury leaves 20-year-old Jon Flatt as the only cover for Wolves' first-choice keeper Carl Ikeme.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has been at Molineux since July 2012 and has made seven first-team appearances.

After keeping five clean sheets in 14 matches on loan with Walsall two seasons ago, he then made an eye-catching Wolves debut in last term's Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over the Saddlers, making two saves in a penalty shootout.

He was then called back from a subsequent loan spell at York City for a five-game run in Wolves' promotion-bound League One team when Ikeme broke his hand in January, but has made only one appearance this season in the League Cup first round defeat by Northampton Town in August.

"If I look at his performance in the Northampton game, he didn't look the same. And he hasn't quite looked right in the Under-21s games he's played in," said Jackett.

"He's a different lad from this time last year where he was saving penalties against Walsall, which would explain a lot. So it's the right thing and he'll be better for it."