MARK DWYER must undergo a second operation on his damaged elbow before he learns whether he can continue his riding career. The top jump jockey, on the injury list since December last year, will have surgery next month designed to give him more movement with his left arm.

But even if the operation is a success, he will then have to complete three months on medication and a course of intensive physiotherapy. Dwyer had a plate inserted and his arm wired up after he broke his left elbow in a fall at Kelso.

But he met specialist Dr Brian Holdsworth in Nottingham yesterday to be told that a complete repair could not be guaranteed. "The wire now has to be removed and the plate left in. Scar tissue that has formed round the joint also has to be taken out and there is some straightening to do," said Dwyer.

"Full movement of the arm is very unlikely in any case but I could bet two thirds movement.

"As I speak I can ride out but I wouldn't get passed fit to race ride. But this operation should nearly have me back to where I was be forehand. With the medication and physiotherapy I have been warned it could take at least another three months.