NEWPORT County AFC striker Chris Zebroski may not play again this season.

The 27-year-old has been a big hit since arriving at Rodney Parade in the summer and is still the club’s joint leading scorer with seven goals – despite being sidelined since November 9.

But it is now feared that the dislocated kneecap and ligament damage he sustained in the FA Cup first round tie at Braintree Town may have ended Zebroski’s season.

It was initially thought that the player may be able to return within six to eight weeks.

“Unfortunately Chris has got a large tear in his cartilage as well as dislocating his kneecap,” said Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh before the player’s operation.

“He’s booked in for his op and from there we’re probably looking at about six to eight weeks before he’s back playing. It all depends on how the surgery goes.”

But now the prognosis is more worrying for Edinburgh and the County fans.

Club physio Adam Roche said: “Chris had a surgical repair of his meniscus on Friday, November 22, and is currently doing very well.

“He is expected to return to training in approximately 12 weeks.

“He will have six weeks of partial weight bearing followed by six weeks intense rehabilitation.”

If Roche’s forecast is correct Zebroski would not be ready to play before May and the regular League Two season concludes on May 3.

He would, however, have a chance of returning to feature in the play-offs should County be involved with the final at Wembley set for May 24.

But County are hopeful that the former Plymouth and Bristol Rovers striker could be back ahead of schedule.

A club spokesman added: “It is all dependent on how well the rehabilitation goes with Chris. We will have a more realistic time frame after the initial six-week period from the op.

“This will take us up to January and Adam and the medical staff can reassess then.”

Since Zebroski’s injury Edinburgh has brought in fellow front man George Barker on loan from Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion.

And Aaron O’Connor, the club’s imitational top scorer from last season, could make his long awaited comeback from a serious groin injury before Christmas.