Stuart Little, the former European Tour left-hander from Nailsworth, has been absent from the West Region PGA playing circuit since July.

He underwent a keyhole surgery operation to his shoulder at Gloucester and is still recovering.

"The physio thinks that the way things are progressing I should make a full recovery in the near future," he said.

"But I need to be patient and can't force the issue. I realise now that I should have stuck to my original plan and had it done in 2007."

He said: "In simple terms it's wear and tear. I had a lump in my shoulder and each year it became worse until something had to be done about it."

Little, 42, is undecided about his future. Playing in the PGA West Region does not offer a living these days.