Soccer:Stephen Hunt is facing another extended spell on the sidelines after it emerged the Wolves and Republic of Ireland winger will is to undergo a hernia operation and will be out of action for several weeks.

Hunt had only returned to action in Monday’s reserve clash with Newcastle after two months out with a calf injury. His season didn’t start until October after he arrived at his new club with a foot problem.

And he is now being troubled by a hernia complaint and will go under the knife for an operation that could rule him out for the remainder of the Premier League season.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said: “Hunty got fit but he couldn’t get back to full tilt, strength and energy because he was struggling. That was really shown in the reserve game on Monday.

“He’s just never got back to full tilt and he has to be at that to play. “Hernias are sometimes two or three weeks now but we will see how he goes. “If he recovers he will be available for the last few games.”

While this latest injury is certainly a concern for Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, barring any setbacks it shouldn’t keep the Waterford man out of the next Euro 2012 qualifier when the side travel to Macedonia on June 6th.