WEYMOUTH midfield man Anthony Tilley set himself the target of being fit for Boxing Day's big derby game against Dorchester after specialists finally pinned down his mystery pelvic injury this week.

Tilley hasn't played for more than two-and-a-half months since complaining of pain in his groin during the game against Folkestone at the Wessex Stadium on September 18.

Doctors first suspected a fractured pelvis and ordered him to rest.

But when that failed to improve the condition after a frustrating period of inactivity he sought further medical help.

And this week he learned that his problem was caused by general wear and tear on the cartilage between the pubic bones at the base of his pelvis rather than a specific knock as was initially thought.

"They say it can be overcome by an epidural injection into the base of my spine and I went in for a pre-med assessment this week," said Tilley, a former Wimborne Town player who had a pre-season trial with AFC Bournemouth before returning to Wey-mouth in August.

"I have been put on the urgent list for the injection and am standing by to be called in this week. Hopefully the week after that I will be returning to training and then it should be back on the comeback trail.

"I have been careful about my diet during the period when the only exercise I have been able to do is to swim so it should not take me too long to get fit again.

"I am bound to need a few games in the reserves, but providing I do get the injection next week as planned I am very hopeful of being back in contention for the first team by Christmas.

"It's been a very frustrating time but at last there is now some light at the end of the tunnel and I am very relieved."

Player manager Andy Mason said: "Anthony has been out much longer than we imagined and it's great that they have finally diagnosed his problem.

"We have our fingers crossed that the injection will do the trick and it will be terrific to have him back because we have a lot of games coming up."