Vaughan will be out for more than a year

Raith Rovers star Lewis Vaughan has been told he will be out of action for more than a year, after being given the devastating news he needs two separate operations on his injured knee.

The luckless 23-year-old suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) for the third time in his career in September in just his third game back from his previous lay-off.

The initial prognosis was that he would be sidelined for the standard six to nine months.

However, after his specialist ordered a more detailed scan, Vaughan has now been told he will have to go under the knife twice – first to tidy up the damage caused the last time he injured his knee and then again for the latest problem.

As there has to be three months between the operations, the cultured attacker is now facing up to the reality that he will not be back playing until well into next season.

Manager John McGlynn explained: “We obviously got Lewis scanned at the time and it came back that he had done his ACL, so the club told everyone he would be out for the usual six to nine months.

“But when Lewis then saw a consultant he wanted more detail and he sent him for a CT scan because he was a wee bit concerned about things. That has thrown up what the consultant thought.

“So Lewis is going to need two operations. The first to tidy up the original ACL so they can do the second operation, and there will need to be a three-month gap between the two operations.

“So we’re really talking about Lewis being out a year, postoperation.

“He has had a horrific, horrific time and everyone is devastated for him. It is a terrible blow for Lewis, a nicer boy you will not meet.

“But the club will help him in every way possible.”

Lewis Vaughan has torn his ACL for the third time in his career.