Cavanagh targets league return

The Tyrone midfielder and treble All Ireland winner underwent surgery on a muscular injury three months ago.

"It was a freak injury - the muscle pulled off the bone but the operation was a success and I'm on schedule to be back playing in the New Year," he told UTV.

"I hope to be able to do some light training in a few weeks time."

Cavanagh admits the Red Hands will miss players like Philip Jordan and Brian McGuigan, who, along with Ciaran Gourley, announced their retirement from inter-county football earlier in the week.

"Yes they will be missed. When you think of Philly you think of consistency and when you think of Brian you think of genius so that's a combination of qualities we will miss," he added.

"I was a little surprised when I was told Brian was stepping down because he had a lot of time out through injury.

"But like Philip he's a family man and you have to respect their decisions."

Despite the loss of those players and All-Ireland winning captain Brian Dooher, Cavanagh expects Tyrone to do well in the new season.

"We have plenty of good younger players who can come in and I tend to look on the positive side of things," he continued.

"When you play for Tyrone it's expected that you get to all-Ireland quarters, semis and finals as anything less is viewed as failure.

"Maybe the expectations will be lowered a little having lost those players but I am confident we can still do well."