NEWPORT County’s plans for next season have taken a hit with the news that Aaron O’Connor has suffered an injury setback.

The hotshot striker, who scored 20 Conference goals for Newport last season, is still struggling with the groin problem that curtailed his 2012/13 campaign.

Despite a summer of rest and rehabilitation, O’Connor is still hampered by the muscle injury and boss Justin Edinburgh last night sent him to see a specialist.

The worst case scenario is that O’Connor – who scored a 39 minute hat-trick against Taunton Town in midweek – will require surgery.

That would keep him out for between a month and six weeks, meaning he’d have no prospect of making the August 3 Football League kick-off.

Edinburgh admits he’s beginning to plan for a season kick-off without his talisman: “Aaron is struggling again, we thought the groin was improving, but he’s been stiff and in pain this week,” Edinburgh said.

“There is little we can do really other than hope for the best and prepare for the fact we might start the season without him.

“We want him right, we want to rid ourselves of the problem, so we need to tread carefully.”

O’Connor previously opened up on the extent of his groin trouble.

“I haven’t been 100% for a long time and I have damage to some of the fibres in my groin,” he said.

“Because of that I’ve missed a lot of training.

“We were worried it was a hernia but the scans revealed it could be managed by injections.

“The best cure would’ve probably been not playing but we’ve had other injuries to deal with like Danny Crow.

“Not every footballer is the same and some wouldn’t want to try and play on through injury.

“But me personally? I don’t ever want to miss out on playing.”

Unfortunately for County, that scenario is now looking increasingly likely.