WARREN Feeney has spoke of his "relief" at being told he had sustained only minor ligament damage during Cherries' 1-0 win over Peterborough United on Saturday (April 24).

Feeney left London Road on crutches and with his right knee in a brace after suffering the injury during a challenge with Posh defender Andy Legg just two minutes into the clash.

And although the popular Ulsterman looks set to be ruled out for the rest of the season, Feeney admits he feared the injury could have been a lot worse.

Feeney, who is expected to have a scan to ascertain the full extent of the damage later today, told the Daily Echo last night: "As soon as it happened, things started to go through my mind. The pain was quite bad and I could feel a sharp pain shooting down the inside of my leg.

"I knew straight away it was the ligaments and then Jim (Marshall, Cherries physio) came on and said I had done my medial ligaments. I went to see the Peterborough club doctor and he told me that there was no cruciate damage or bone damage.

"He said I would probably be looking at between two to three weeks and that was definitely a relief. As soon as I did it, I knew there would be no chance of me carrying on and that it would probably be the end of my season.

"But it's just one of those things. There is never a good time to get injured, but perhaps now is better than any other time so I've just got to make sure I'm ready for the start of next season."

Feeney was stretchered off and immediately taken to the London Road medical centre where he was examined by Peterborough club doctor Cosmas Nnochiri who made the initial prognosis.

And midway through the first half, he received warm applause from both sets of supporters as he hobbled around the ground on crutches to make his way back to the dressing room.

Feeney added: "It was a great response from their fans. To be honest, I didn't really want to walk past them because I thought they might jeer me. But 10 out of 10 to them for clapping me. It was a nice touch. Our fans were also great and cheered me as I went down the tunnel."

Feeney will definitely withdraw from the Northern Ireland squad for an under-23 international against Serbia & Montenegro in Lurgan tomorrow.

Neil Young's appearance as an 88th-minute substitute against Peterborough saw him carve his name in the Dean Court hall of fame.

Young, who came on for Derek Holmes, became only the eighth player in the club's history to make 300 league appearances.