Knee condition plagues Tyrone ace O'Neill

Tyrone attacker Stephen O'Neill looks set to miss his side's National Football League campaign and is also a serious doubt for this summer's Ulster Championship.

The 27-year-old recently learned of complications in his rehabilitation following knee surgery.

He underwent the surgery at the end of last season in order to resolve a complex knee tendonitis condition, which has blighted the two-time All-Star in recent years.

O'Neill learned last week of his prolonged spell on the sidelines when he met specialists in Belfast, who informed him that a combination of surgery and a specially designed programme of physiotherapy exercises had not had the desired effect.

The former Footballer of the Year must now undergo further investigative treatment in order to fast-track his fitness but it looks increasingly likely that the Strabane man will not play any part in the National League this season.

With other forwards Brian Dooher and Brian McGuigan also recovering from injury, Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will have a depleted squad for his side's NFL opener against Kildare at Omagh on February 2.

Harte said: "It's something that we have to get on with, but it is very disappointing for Stephen. What makes it even worse is that initially the set of exercises designed to help with the rehabilitation of the knee looked to be going well.

"Now, however, a new set of problems have appeared. There is still some pain and obviously we need to try and get to the source of the problem.

"Of course it's difficult both for the player and for Tyrone, but we have to take a positive attitude."