Grimsby star Callum Ainley, 26, undergoes surgery after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer

GRIMSBY TOWN have announced that star Callum Ainley has “undergone surgery” for thyroid cancer.

The League Two club revealed the shock news this afternoon and stated that the midfielder will be out of action until at least the end of next month.

Grimsby Town star Callum Ainley has undergone surgery for thyroid cancerRex

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The League Two side say they hope to have the midfielder back in training at the end of February[/caption]

A statement from the Mariners said: “Grimsby Town Football Club is saddened to announce that midfielder Callum Ainley was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

“The 26 year-old, who joined the Mariners from Crewe Alexandra in the summer, has undergone surgery and will now take some time at home to recover with a view to returning to training mid-late February.”

Grimsby’s statement then added: “Callum has shown great strength of character since he received the news and he is currently being supported by the club to ensure he has everything he needs.

“We would like to ask supporters and the media to respect his privacy at this time.

“We wish Callum a speedy recovery. We hope to see him back in a black and white shirt very soon.”

Ainley last appeared for Grimsby on December 16 in their 1-1 draw at Newport County in League Two.

He made his debut for the Mariners on September 16 in a 3-0 loss against the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney owned Wrexham.

He has made seven appearances so far before David Artell’s side, who currently sit 19th in the fourth tier.

Ainley came through the academy ranks at Crewe after joining them in 2011.

The ace made his professional debut at the age of 17 in September 2015 and went on to make nearly 250 EFL appearances for them.

He was also part of the promotion-winning squad in 2020 that finished second in League One.

Thyroid cancer is quite rare in the UK with around 3,400 diagnoses made each year, with it more common in women than in men.

The thyroid gland is found at the base of your neck at the front and is just behind the hollow where your collarbones meet.

The gland, which is made up of two lobes connected by a bridge of tissue, is butterfly-shaped and makes and releases hormones that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.