Stephen Ward’s Wolves season is over as he underwent an exploratory knee operation today.

Ward, who created the goal that kept Wolves in the Premier League, has been experiencing discomfort in the knee he had surgery on last September for more than two months after being sidelined in December.

Ironically, the Dubliner played his first 90 minutes in seven games in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Blackburn when he set up the crucial equaliser for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Ward was hoping to have battled on but a specialist’s report to Wolves demanded his immediate return to remove debris from the joint.

The surgery means Ward has little chance of making his first call-up for the Republic of Ireland after being named in a training camp in Malahide, Dublin from May 16 to 21, although the player himself still hopes to report, where he will be assessed by the Irish medical team.

“He’s having an operation today,” confirmed boss Mick McCarthy.

“It’s something that needs to be done as he’s been struggling with the problem for a while.”

Head of medical Steve Kemp said: “He underwent surgery on his knee at the start of the season and unfortunately suffered an infection while he was in hospital.

“Unfortunately there’s still some minor debris in there.

“Hopefully a washout will solve the problem, and, while he can’t go away with Ireland in the summer, it should give him every chance to be ready for pre-season.”

Ward’s absence for the last two games of the season potentially opens up the left midfield slot with Matt Jarvis having missed the Blackburn game with a thigh strain.

Andrew Surman, Andy Keogh and Nenad Milijas are among the contenders.

Ward said: “It’s been troubling me all season and has got to be done.

“There was talk about maybe delaying the operation so I could join up with Ireland, but the specialist said to carry on could make it worse.

“I’ve also got to be back for pre-season and so the extra couple of weeks before the end of the season will help.

“It’s disappointing not to be joining up with Ireland and I was looking forward to it, but hopefully I’ll get another chance when I’m fit again.

“There’s no point risking any further damage.

“The swelling’s still quite bad so they need to go in and clean it up.”