Shrewsbury Town’s key defender Kelvin Langmead has undergone a close season operation to solve a double hernia problem – with three of his Town team-mates also going under the surgeon’s knife.

Langmead revealed he has been battling the problem since the turn of the year.

But the club’s longest serving player is now making encouraging progress after having the procedure at the end of last week.

“It is something that was diagnosed at the end of January and from then on it was just trying to nurse it through until the end of the season,” said the 24-year-old.

“I had to miss the odd training session here and there in the last three or four weeks of the season and when I got my rib problem, I was really on my last legs.

“But the operation went well and the recovery is coming along fine.

“It’s all about rest at the moment but hopefully in the next couple of weeks, I can be back running.”

Striker Jake Robinson and young full-back Danny Taylor, who has recently signed a professional contract, both underwent the same operation as Langmead in Manchester yesterday.

“All the procedures have gone well and I’m sure all three will be fine and raring to go on July 1 (for pre-season training),” said physiol Nathan Ring.

But it is a much longer road back for striker Nathan Elder who is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing his cruciate knee ligaments during his loan spell at AFT Wimbledon.

“Nathan has an operation tomorrow down in London,” added Ring.

“It’s a big operation and it could be up to nine months before he is back training with the first team.

“It’s a long road back and everyone is just hoping the operation goes well, there are no hickoks along the way and that Nathan remains mentally strong through what will be a long process.”

By James Garrison