Caines blow for Robins

Caines: Set for the knife

Cheltenham have been dealt an injury blow with the news Gavin Caines will miss the remainder of the season.

The defender has been plagued by a cartilage tear since January but has fought through the pain barrier to help his side's battle to beat the drop.

It has now though been decided that there is no alternative other than for Caines to go under the surgeon's knife, with an operation scheduled for Tuesday.

"Gavin has done terrifically well under very difficult circumstances," boss Keith Downing told the club's official website.

"He has stuck to his task and we have had to manage him because he has not been able to train properly.

"It would have been nice if he could have seen out the rest of the season but it has come to a point where he needs to have the operation now.

"Gavin's attitude has typified the football club - getting through things with grit and determination - and he has shown a lot of that this season."