FORMER Ipswich Town favourite Kieron Dyer is unlikely to play for QPR again this season after manager Neil Warnock revealed the injury-plagued midfielder requires another operation on his foot.

The Ipswich-born 32-year-old – who made over 200 appearances for his hometown club before moving to Newcastle for a then club-record �6m in 1999 – has played just seven minutes of football this season.

Having returned to the Blues for a short loan spell at the back end of last season, Dyer – released by West Ham – signed for newly-promoted Rangers on a free transfer in the summer. However, he was carried off on a stretcher after injuring his foot on his debut against Bolton on the opening day.

He had been making good progress in his rehabilitation from the injury and was expected to return after Christmas.

However, the former England international injured his foot again during a reserve game with Tottenham this week and now looks likely to be out for several weeks.

Warnock is likely to leave Dyer out of his 25-man squad when he re-submits it to the Premier League after the next transfer window shuts, meaning the midfielder may never play for Rangers again.

“This is a devastating blow for Kieron,” Warnock told QPR’s website.

“I have never met a more determined pro in my career, and he really doesn’t deserve this.

“The specialist said he thought Kieron could return before Christmas without the need for an operation and is disappointed that this is not the case, and he has no alternative now but to operate.”

Dyer made just 34 appearances for former club West Ham over a four-season spell.

And with him turning 33 at the end of this month, serious question marks must now be hanging over his future in the game.