DERRY dual soccer and GAA star, Anthony Tohill, received a late Christmas present at the weekend - from a Derry surgeon. The 1995 All-Star was told that he did not have the ligament damage to his right knee that would have ruled him out of football for at least four months and which could have threatened his career.

The player, who only recently returned from a three months lay-off, was forced to have surgery at the weekend when fluid around his knee prompted many to think that he had suffered more serious damage in the original incident than was first feared.

Speaking last night Tohill jubilantly confirmed that keyhole surgery had diagnosed the problem as a minor cartilage one and not the more serious medial ligament rupture that was first feared.

"Thankfully last weekend's surgery confirmed the problem as cartilage scarring incurred during the original injury. The surgeon was able to correct the problem during the surgery and I have been informed that with the proper recuperation I could be playing competitive football in less than four weeks."

Tohill also hit out at those who suggested he returned too soon. "I made my comeback when I knew I was completely fit," he said." Ironically if I had not returned I would not have known about the problem as it was too small to show up on the usual X-ray. The only way to test injuries like these is to put them under the rigours of competitive action and see how they react."