LEIGH RMI goal ace Tony Black needs urgent surgery to repair a hernia and will be out for at least six weeks.

Black, Leigh's top scorer with 12 this season, is likely to play his final game at Kingstonian tomorrow before going under the knife next Friday.

Manager Steve Waywell admits the loss of his star striker will be a huge blow as RMI battle to stay in the top half of the Nationwide Conference.

"It gives other people the chance to stake a claim. I'll be looking at the likes of Mick Morrell and Neil Matthews to pick up where Blackie leaves off."

It's a double blow for Waywell with centre-back Jamie Udall facing a longer lay-off.

Udall damaged his knee in an FA Cup tie at Scarborough in October and hasn't played since. He has since broken down in training and goes to hospital tomorrow for a scan.

"It looked a simple injury originally but there is clearly some a big problem. I can't see him being back in action for at least another few weeks," admits the Leigh boss.

And with flying winger Steve Jones still struggling with a back complaint, Leigh will be down to the bare bones for the trip to Kingstonian. "We've not got a big squad and we're stretched to the limit at the moment but we'll go down there and give them a run for their money.

"It's perhaps not the best time to be playing them. In their last two matches they've knocked Brentford out of the FA Cup and put five past Stevenage."

Kingstonian have troubles of their own with keeper Steve Farrelly in hospital recovering from life-saving surgery after a spinal abscess was found at the base of his neck. The non-league England international keeper is now out of danger but will miss the rest of the season.

Leigh's scheduled home game against Conference leaders Yeovil next Saturday, December 9, has been postponed because the West Country side are still in the FA Cup.

Instead Leigh will be at home to Stevenage Borough in a match brought forward from February 3.

The much-delayed Nationwide Trophy first round replay against Northwich Victoria has been re-scheduled for Hilton Park on Tuesday, December 12.