On-loan City defender Ryan Dickson has kicked his last ball of the season, Phil Parkinson revealed this afternoon.

Dickson, who had joined from Southampton until the end of the season, faces an operation on his ankle that could rule him out for up to six months.

The full back saw a specialist yesterday and was advised to go under the knife as soon as possible.

Parkinson admitted: "It's a hammer blow for Ryan."

He is the second City left back to be ruled out long term after James Meredith was struck down by glandular fever.