Matt Murray's Wolves career - so far

Popular Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines in a career which showed great early promise but has been curtailed by injuries.

The 27-year-old undergoes his latest operation tomorrow after tearing the patella tendon in his right knee while on loan at Hereford.

The Solihull-born keeper has been touted as potential international class since he first began to make waves at Wolves in the late 1990s.

Like contemporary Robbie Keane, Murray was singled out for praise before he appeared in the first team.

nextpageJoleon Lescott and Matt Murray were the young stars of the Wolves side which made the Championship play-off final in 2003.nextpageMurray won the man of the match award for his performance in Wolves' 3-0 victory over Sheffield United, including an important penalty save.nextpageThe future looked bright for Murray as Wolves entered the Premier League but a number of injuries meant that he played only a handful of games between 2003 and 2005.nextpageSome fans have even claimed that Murray is the most talented Wolves keeper since the legendary Bert Williams.nextpage

In 2006, former teammate Steve Claridge wrote in his regular newspaper scouting report column that Murray was "a natural". "He is big, strong and extremely imposing," said Claridge before adding ominously: "His quality is undeniable. Instead his potential hinges on his ability to stay fit."nextpageA fine run in the team in the 2006-2007 season was ended by a shoulder injury in the play-off semi final, but Murray was named in the Championship team of the season and won PFA Fans' player of the year for the division. He was also named as Wolves' player of the year.nextpageFurther injuries and the emergence of Wayne Hennessey and Carl Ikeme have meant that Murray is still waiting to resume his Molineux career.nextpageWith the giant keeper yet to get past the 100-appearance mark for Wolves, fans will be wishing him a speedy recovery from his latest setback.