LUCKLESS Wanderers' skipper Mike Whitlow has been forced to put his comeback plans on hold and could be out for up to three months after undergoing further tests on his troublesome groin injury.

The experienced defender, who has made just four appearances this season, was due to resume full training this week but he has been ordered to take a rest cure.

Sam Allardyce described the news as "a major blow".

"He's already missed four or five weeks and now it looks like we've lost him for another 10 or 12," the manager confirmed.

"We originally thought the injury was just a groin strain then further checks suggested it might be a hernia. But the latest scans have shown it's a lot worse than we thought and he has been told he needs pure rest."

Whitlow, who agreed a new contract in the summer, has had a frustrating time in recent months.

He missed the pre-season trip to the United States when he required surgery on a finger problem, was suspended for the first three games as a result of his dismissal at Ipswich in last season's Play-off semi-final then, after making a successful return to the side, he pulled up sharply in the game at Grimsby on September 12 and has been struggling to recover ever since.