Cumbrian star Kyle Dempsey is set for a spell on the sidelines as he faces surgery on a cartilage injury.

The Gillingham captain is set to go under the knife early this week.

Priestfield manager Steve Evans says former Carlisle United favourite Dempsey will be out for anywhere between three and 10 weeks.

The Maryport midfielder suffered the injury against Sheffield Wednesday on November 13.

Speaking to KentOnline, Evans said: ”It was a little tear in his cartilage and he will have an op on Monday or Tuesday, then it will be about speed of recovery and the one thing about Kyle is that he has the heart of the size of Big Ben.

“He will want to be fit, but it will be down to the bodies healing process. It is a simple op, keyhole surgery and he will probably be in and out, but it will be how quickly he can acclimatise and withstand the pain because it will be about a pain ratio when he comes back.”

Dempsey has made 18 appearances and scored one goal this season for the League One side.

His impressive performances since joining the Kent club in the summer of 2020 have seen the 26-year-old attract transfer interest.

Also in League One, Dempsey's fellow Cumbrian James Trafford, from Greysouthen, returned to the Accrington Stanley side for his first league appearance for nearly two months.

The England Under-20 international, who is on loan from Manchester City, took Toby Savin's place for the 3-2 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

It was the 10th first-team appearance of the 19-year-old goalkeeper's career.