TURF Moor midfield pair Gerry Harrison and Damian Matthew were both due to undergo hernia surgery today.

But the Burnley men should be fit for the start of pre-season training when the first team squad reports back to Turf Moor on July 3.

Harrison and Matthew both struggled with their fitness in the final stages of last season and the damage was discovered after the pair visited specialists earlier this week.

Manager Adrian Heath confirmed: "They were both troubled with injury in the final few weeks and we want to get them sorted out as quickly as possible.

"Full recovery times from surgery of this nature is between four to six weeks, so that is why we wanted them in straight away.

"They should be both up and running in time for the pre-season programme.

"Damian had complained about a bit of pain during our final few games and the hernia had obviously affected his overall mobility." It will be the second operation in a week for Harrison who had minor surgery to clear floating bone from his ankle, a troublesome problem which had caused the utility player discomfort.

Heath added: "The injury explains why Gerry was below par by his own high standards in our final few fixtures." Goalkeeper Marlon Beresford, another player to undergo hernia surgery in the past few days, is making good progress following his operation.

Beresford will definitely be fit for the start of pre-season and Heath added: "Marlon's surgery was the first priority once the season finished and he is already making rapid progress.

"He played through the pain barrier for us in the final few games and did ever so well considering the soreness he felt.

"Marlon had a similar operation a year ago and we hope this will solve the problem for good."

Former Claret John Mullin scored Sunderland's last ever goal at Roker Park in a 1-0 friendly win over Liverpool as the Wearsiders paid an emotional farewell to the famous stadium.

The gates were closed before the kick-off and stars of the past, including Charlie Hurley and Bob Stokoe, manager of the 1973 FA Cup winning team, were introduced to the capacity crowd of 22,567.

Preston North End today released goalkeeper Bobby Mimms, Kevin Gage and club skipper Ian Bryson on free transfers.

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