GILLINGHAM'S Adrian Pennock has been cleared to play again after undergoing career-saving surgery in Cambridge. The popular centre-back has arrived back at his Medway home defiantly vowing to return before the end of the season.

Team-mates and supporters feared the worst when Pennock was carried off on a stretcher in agony five minutes from the end of the 2-1 defeat at Birmingham. At first it was thought he had ruptured cruciate knee ligaments in a left knee held together by four bolts. This week's operation was the 10th on the knee.

After the operation, surgeon Dennis Edwards diagnosed the injury as tears in both the cruciate and cartilage before giving Pennock the news he wanted to hear that he would play again. "That's all I wanted to hear," said Pennock. "No time was put on it but I'm determined to play again before the end of the season.

"The next two weeks are going to be difficult because I've been ordered to rest the knee and keep pressure off it. I'm going to be murder to live with, though my wife Tania has been wonderfully supportive."

Pennock paid tribute to Gillingham's senior physiotherapist Ken Steggles who knew Mr Edwards from his time with Division 2 Cambridge. "I would say that Ken Steggles is among the best signings Gillingham have made because he's different class. I know I and the rest of the players are in good hands."