Houghton requires surgery after FA Cup injury

Jordan Houghton will go under the knife next week following an injury picked up against Barnet last Sunday.

The 25-year-old was scythed down from behind by Barnet's Anthony Wordsworth just six minutes into the game at The Hive, and after seeing a specialist this week, will require an operation.

It means Houghton will likely be out for eight weeks or more, according to manager Russell Martin, who earlier this week spoke of his disgust at the challenge."It's bad news for us," he said. "He will be out for a little while. I'm really gutted for Jordan – he's a really big part of what we're doing, whether he's playing or whether he's not. He's been a really big player for us since he took over.

"He's upset but positive. It won't be the end of the season but it looks like it will be eight weeks plus. He's getting it fixed early next week, and then it's about getting him fit and ready.

"It's only a small op, but it is such an unnecessary situation. It's an unnecessary tackle, an avoidable situation. He tried to carry on and thought he might get away with it but unfortunately he hasn't.

"Mentally, these things are tough but Jordan is a resilient character and it will help him come back quicker. We have to support him and makes sure we give him everything we need.

"Our medical and sport science team here have got a great record of getting people back really quickly."

There was better news in the injury camp for Dons this week though, with Louis Thompson not only receiving news that his hamstring injury, picked up at Sunderland last month, is not as bad as first thought, but also the birth of his daughter Winter Ruby.

Updating on Thompson's condition, Martin said: "He's going to be knackered because he's just had a baby! So congratulations to him and Verity, it's really really good news and we're really happy.

"His recovery is going well. He's back with Norwich and we've only got a limited number of staff compared to them, and is spending time with his wife and little one. We'll look forward to having him back sooner than we thought. He saw a specialist and got some positive news so it won't be as long as we feared, which is great."