Barry Fuller has lost the captain's armband to Andy Frampton this season

Gillingham defender Barry Fuller has been ruled out for the rest of the season after being told that he needs a "career-saving" knee operation.

The 27-year-old has been out with a troublesome injury since the Gills' win over Hereford last month.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent: "It's been decided that he needs an operation straight away.

"He can't carry on playing like he's been doing because if he does, it's career-threatening," he added.

"Once he's had the operation it'll be nine months. It's devastating for Baz.

"He's in the mould of myself. He gives it his all, and he just wants to play.

"But he's quite upbeat, the surgeon that he's spoken to has reassured him that he'll get the operation done and his career will continue, so he's very positive this morning.

"We'll support him and keep him positive, like we have done with Adam Birchall.

"Barry's a strong character - he's only 27, he'll get the knee sorted and he'll be back."

Fuller, who was replaced as skipper by Andy Frampton at the beginning of the season, has been very unforunate with injures.

He is unlucky - he's probably one of the fittest players at the club Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler

Last season, he sustained a broken nose just eight weeks after breaking his right arm, and during the 2009-10 season, he contracted pneumonia.

Hessenthaler admitted: "He is unlucky - he's probably one of the fittest players at the club.

"He comes in, does his work in the gym, trains and then you'll see him in the gym again.

"He's full on with his fitness - he's just been unlucky with injuries and again this is very unlucky for him."

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