 Garner will undergo surgery next week (Getty Images) |
Carlisle United's top-scorer Joe Garner hopes he can return sooner than expected from his season-ending injury. The striker is likely to be ruled out for up to nine months with cruciate knee ligament damage suffered during last week's 1-0 win at Crewe.
The 19-year-old told BBC Radio Cumbria: "Nine months seems a long time to me. In my head I think I'll be back quicker than that.
"I've got age on my side and hopefully I'll be back running for pre-season."
Garner, who scored 14 goals this season, will undergo surgery next week and will then undergo rehabilitation at his former club Blackburn Rovers.
"The facilities are bit better down there," he said. "I will get my surgery out of the way then crack on with my rehab to get back as quickly as I can."
Top surgeon Steve Bollen, who has worked on injuries to Roy Keane and Wes Brown, will carry out the surgery.
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