SKIPPER Paul Smith has fallen victim to Gillingham’s injury jinx with the news that he is almost certain to undergo surgery after tearing a cartilage in his right knee on the last day of the season.

Just when player-manager Andy Hessenthaler believed the club’s injury problems were behind them with the close of the season, he learned that the player, whose name is always first on the team-sheet, may face a race against time to be fit for the start of pre-season training on July 3.

Smith, who thought he had broken his right leg following a collision with Palace goalkeeper Alex Kolinko, underwent a scan at London’s Whipps Cross Hospital on Thursday night. It revealed a torn cartilage, soft tissue damage and bad bruising.

Smith, who was looking forward to putting his feet up in the close season and spending time with new daughter Brioney, said: “I think a decision will be taken today (Monday) as to whether I’ll need an operation.

“But when a player tears his cartilage it normally mean an operation. I would think it will involve keyhole surgery and that I’ll have to rest for three weeks. After that, it will be a matter of working exceptionally hard to be ready for pre-season."