Athletic's summer signing from Blackpool, Neil Wood, is making good progress after surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament. The surgery involved pins and screws being inserted and resulted in an overnight hospital stay.Wood commented, "The surgeon says I will feel fine in four month, but he's told me to wait even longer to make sure the joint is strong. Then I've got to work to make sure the muscles above the knee can support my weight. I could be out for up to eight months, but I'm hoping to be back for the start of next season. It's just my luck, really. It's so frustrating sitting on the sidelines."