The striker, who cleared the board at the player of the season awards, met with a top consultant in Manchester and will now miss the first two weeks of the pre-season.

Warlow said the injury started late last season but a scan showed the issue had cleared up. "Towards the end of last season I had hernia pains but managed to play on. It was nothing serious and relatively minor at the time.

"Unfortunately it didn't improve with rest during close season.

"I saw a specialist this week and he said an operation is necessary. That will happen next Tuesday and I should be back running within 2 or 3 weeks. That means I'll be fit for the start of the season.

The front-man is buoyed up despite missing the pre-season trip to Glasgow. "It's disappointing but better to get the treatment out of the way now. I'll only be 2 or 3 weeks behind the rest of the lads and I'll be able to make up that fitness. I'll just need to be patient. The gaffer (manager Micky Mellon) said I should rest instead of going to Scotland even though I'd still like to go. But I'm sure I'll manage a few pre-season games.

"Competition for places is going to be tough next season and that keeps you on your toes.

We stand a good chance with our squad and we will hopefully be pushing for promotion. Missing the start of the season isn't an option for me."

Town physio Russell Hitchen, who recently celebrated qualifying has a Charted Physiotherapist, has been following Warlow's progress. "Adam was struggling towards the end of last season.

He had an MRI scan after the last game and the result was clear.

So we gave him a programme to work on over the summer and that looked to be ok. But he started to feel some pain again last week.

Wigan Athletic coach Hitchen and Town chairman Andy Pilley ensured Warlow received the best private treatment available. "I used my contacts at Wigan and was put in touch with Mr Ian MacLennan.

Mr MacLennan is a consultant surgeon used by all the north-west Premiership clubs.

The consultation was today (Thursday) and the diagnosis is bilateral inguinal repair or double hernia.

That involves surgical correction of the hernia and repairing the weakened muscle.

It's a routine procedure. Stitches come out after a week and then more rest. He'll only miss the first couple of weeks of pre-season."

Pre-season starts next Tuesday and the Scottish training camp takes place over the weekend of 11th July when Town take on Scottish Third Division Queen's Park.