YORK City defender Chris Brass' 12 months from hell has continued with the news that he will be out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

An exploratory operation last week revealed more serious damage to his knee than was initially feared with more surgery needed to repair the injury.

It was originally thought he would be out for up to six weeks.

It is a bitter blow for both Brass and the club following a return to form on the pitch after he was relieved of his managerial duties in October.

Caretaker boss Viv Busby said: "He's got to have an operation. He had an exploratory one last week which showed the knee has settled down a bit.

"But he's not totally torn the medial ligament as we suspected - it's just a slight tear, but it's damaged his cruciate ligament so he's going to have to have a cruciate operation."

Brass sustained the injury 20 minutes into the last game at Bootham Crescent of 2004, ironically against Burton Albion, who City face tomorrow in the third round of the FA Trophy.

Surgery is expected to go ahead in four weeks' time, leaving Brass on the sidelines at least until the end of the season.

Added Busby: "It's really disappointing because he's been playing really well and he will be a massive loss to us.

"But we will look on the bright side and wish him all the best and do everything we can for him, and we are hoping to get him back for pre-season."

The injury makes him the latest centre-half casualty this season and rounds off a miserable 2004 which has included relegation from the Football League and later being sacked as manager after a poor run of results in the Conference.

The curse has already hit Steve Davis, who is in the process of recovering from a serious hip injury, Chris Clarke struggled with hamstring problems before leaving for Halifax, and stand-in defender Gary Pearson is also due to undergo surgery on his shoulder shortly.

Lee Grant is expected to keep his place at left-back tomorrow after deputising for the injured Shaun Smith against Stevenage.

Updated: 11:29 Friday, January 14, 2005