YORK City's forgotten man, veteran defender Chris Fairclough, is edging ever closer to fitness.

But the former City skipper is refusing to rush back too soon after revealing for the first time he endured two operations on his troubled knee this summer.

It was believed the former Leeds and Tottenham ace had gone under the surgeon's knife just once, in a minor operation to have his knee cleaned out.

However, the 36-year-old has told the Evening Press that operation revealed an added problem that required more surgery.

"It is taking longer to get back to full fitness than I hoped because I had some complications with the knee," he confessed.

"The first operation involved a clean-up of the knee and cartilage.

"But it revealed a tendinitis problem, patella tendinitis, which meant I had to go back in about ten days later and they tidied that up as well.

"Obviously, that did put me back and it affected the healing of the knee. It was a setback and put back the recovery a bit."

However, Fairclough, who won a top-flight championship medal with Leeds, is now fully on the mend.

Back in training, the knee now just requires time rather than treatment he said.

"I don't feel as though the knee is 100 per cent just yet, I know that for sure," said Fairclough. "But my fitness level is not too bad and I just need some more football work.

"I have only really started the football training this week and last week so I really have to sharpen that up.

"Hopefully, the knee will settle 100 per cent but I honestly don't know when I'll be back playing competitively.

"I'm not too far away and when the knee feels right I will be ready to play.

"Like any injury, you can't rush back otherwise it is a backward step."

Because of the knee problem, Fairclough has featured just four times since manager Terry Dolan took charge.

And with his current contract up at the end of this season, Fairclough admitted he was keen to prove himself and earn a fresh deal.

"I have to overcome the injury first and foremost. That has got to be my priority, getting physically fit before I play," he said.

"But I want to earn a new deal and play as long as possible and if that can happen at York then great

"Playing football is my first love, so I want to continue doing that."

But Fairclough is already taking steps in preparation for when he finally does decide to hang up his boots.

"I want to stay in the game. I am taking my Uefa 'B' coaching licence which I should finish soon and once I get that I will be pleased," he said.

dave.stanford@ycp.co.uk