Michael Kightly is to have surgery on his ankle tomorrow.

The winger, who has suffered recurring problems since limping out of the game at West Bromwich Albion in November, will have a small boney spur removed at a London hospital in the morning.

The 22-year-old is hoping he can be back in action before the end of the season - especially if Wolves make the play-offs.

"It's very hard to take," he says.

"But I'm trying to look at positives and the fact that I could be back at the end of season. If we make the play-offs that would be an incentive for me.

"I just want it sorted and if an operation's going to do the trick it then that's what I need to do.

"I've been just watching the lads for the last three months and to not be involved has been a killer.

"I've had some nice letters from the fans saying how much I'm missed, and I'm grateful to them for that, but it makes me feel even more gutted that I can't do my bit

Manager Mick McCarthy adds: "It's frustrating that it has taken so long between the injury happening and the surgery taking place. But, as always in these cases, you try the conservative approach first.

"We tried every other treatment, including steroid injections, to try and solve the problem.

"Surgery was the last option and one we wanted to avoid if we could.

"It's disappointing for all of us but mostly for Kights who has been a frustrated onlooker over the past few months and we've missed him.

"It would be great to get him back before the end of the season but we are not going to set any targets."