Newcastle United midfielder Kevin Nolan had surgery on an ankle problem last week, but the 28 year old intends being fit for the start of pre-season. "I went in a week ago, everything's been fine," Nolan told BBC Newcastle.
"It will give me more opportunity to make sure that when we come back on 4 July I will be ready and raring to go."
Nolan scored 12 goals in 32 games despite suffering with the ankle problem for much of the season.
"It wasn't difficult at all [to play on through the injury], we've got fantastic medical staff, who have worked tireless hours with me," the former Bolton man added.
"The doctor, [physios] Derek Wright and David Henderson have been fantastic and put up with all my moaning.
"My hat goes off to them for managing to get me out on the pitch as many times as they did."
