Jon Walters has been ruled out of the weekend game against Charlton after being told he needs surgery on his knee.

The 24-year-old striker missed Tuesday's defeat at Barnsley and now looks set for an extended stay on the sidelines.

"Jon has a cartilage tear to his left knee," confirmed Town physio Matt Byard to the Club website.

"The injury was aggravated against Sheffield United and he has since seen a specialist.

"An operation has been recommended and that is likely to be the next step although nothing will be confirmed until after the weekend.

"If he does have surgery, we are looking at a six week recovery period which means he could be back for the last game or two of the season or the Play-Offs if we finish in the top six."

Town boss Jim Magilton added: "It's definitely a blow because Jon has been fantastic for us this season.

"The medical boys have nursed him through but it now looks as though we have reached a point where he needs surgery."

To add to Jim's striking problems, Danny Haynes is a doubt for Saturday's game against Charlton with a groin injury.

He is making progress but it's likely to go down to a late fitness test before a decision is made with the England U19 international pulled out of the defeat at Barnsley after aggravating the problem in the warm-up before kick-off at Oakwell.