THERE is a “real possibility” Worcester City midfielder Connor Gater could have an operation on his troublesome foot, according to manager Carl Heeley.

Gater has been out on loan at Stourbridge since late October in a bid to get game-time after coming back from a toe injury.

In two one-month loan spells, the 24-year-old has featured six times, including a substitute appearance in the Glassboys’ memorable 1-0 win over Northampton Town in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup in December.

However, Heeley revealed Gater had “only completed one game” and said he had offered Stourbridge, who travel to Wycombe Wanderers in the next round on Saturday (3pm), the chance to keep him for a further month.

“We are possibly going to extend it into a third month simply because he has not played many games,” he said.

“He has only completed one game of football in two months so there is still a problem with his foot.

“We have not achieved what we wanted with him and there is no good me bringing back a player who isn’t fit to play.

“If Stourbridge want to keep him then we will possibly extend it.”

Gater was a key figure for Heeley’s side last term as he made 37 appearances and was awarded goal of the season following his 50-yard strike at Corby Town.

But the former England schoolboy international, who played a couple of games in pre-season, has struggled with his nagging toe problem.

“There is a real possibility he will need an operation which is frustrating,” said Heeley.

“But that’s football. You get injuries and, generally speaking, you get them all together but that’s the way it goes.”

Heeley has got a number of injury concerns with midfielder Danny Jackman (back), striker Colby Bishop (knee), wingers Connor Hughes (leg) and Micah Evans (calf) and defender Tom Sharpe (knee) struggling.