Peter Canavan underwent difficult ankle surgery

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte said on Monday that he expected the five-times Allstar to be out until mid-June.

If Harte's analysis proves correct, Canavan will miss at least three Ulster Championship games - providing Tyrone remain in the provincial competition.

Harte revealed that Canavan's recent ankle operation had proved more difficult than surgeons had predicted.

"He got more work done in the operation than maybe he had anticipated," said Harte.

"He had ruptured tendons in the ankle and he had to get them attached to the ankle again.

"It will be a minimum of three months before he's moving much and another four or five weeks after that to get him up to speed.

"And that's providing all goes to plan with the recuperation."

John McEntee is the only long term injury but hopefully we'll get him sorted out Armagh boss Joe Kernan

Tyrone open their Ulster Championship campaign with an Ulster preliminary game against Derry on 9 May.

If the All-Ireland champions come through that contest, they will face Fermanagh on 6 June with the provincial semi-final against either Donegal or Antrim taking place a fortnight later.

The Ulster Final is scheduled for 11 July.

Canavan hurt the ankle in last season's All-Ireland semi-final win over Kerry.

He did recover to lead the team to victory in the final but the injury has not cleared up.

In Canavan's absence, the captaincy for the entire 2004 campaign has been handed to Cormac McAnallen although the Eglish man could be ruled out of Sunday's league opener against Dublin because of a minor knee strain.

Harte was speaking at the launch of this year's Allianz National Football League in Belfast on Monday.

Mickey Harte and Joe Kernan at the Allianz NFL launch

Stephen O'Neill, who was a highly effective replacement for Canavan during last year's All-Ireland Semi-Final and Final, is unlikely to play against Dublin because he is still troubled by a collarbone injury.

O'Neill is currently based in England but he has been given a fitness programme by Tyrone trainer Paddy Tally.

Armagh boss Joe Kernan also attended the Allianz launch in Belfast.

Kernan remains hopeful that John McEntee will play a part in Armagh's 2004 season even though he has already been ruled out of the league because of a pelvic injury.

"John Mac is the only long term injury but hopefully we'll get him sorted out," said the Armagh boss.

Armagh open their NFL campaign on Sunday with a tussle against Wexford in Crossmaglen.

In addition to McEntee, Oisin McConville (back), Kieran McGeeney (hamstring) and Steven McDonnell (knee) may not line out against Wexford because they are recovering from injuries.