Vale defender Owen has operation

Owen fractured his cheekbone in the game at Bradford on 10 November

Port Vale defender Gareth Owen has had an operation to fix his fractured cheekbone after suffering discomfort playing against Torquay in midweek.

Owen, who played against Barnet three days earlier, asked to be substituted during Tuesday night's 2-2 draw.

"Every time I headed the ball, I would get a sharp pain around my eyeball," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I've seen the specialist again and an operation is required to stabilise the bones around my cheek."

The 27-year-old actually suffered the injury playing against Bradford on 10 November, and missed two matches before returning for the 0-0 draw at Underhill.

Owen played in a protective mask and admitted he was happy to do so, until the discomfort started against Torquay.

"They said I'll be back playing in two or three weeks," added Owen. "It's the impact work and the heading that's going to take a bit of time."

His defensive partner, John McCombe, told BBC Radio Stoke: "It's a massive blow because Gareth's been playing really well.

"But we've got a good squad of players and I think we're good enough to cope with losing Gareth."

Luke Prosser is likely to replace Owen in the starting line-up when Vale take on League One side Huddersfield Town in Saturday's FA Cup second round tie.