It had been felt that Rob could be out for two to three months following his knee injury the week before last but he is hoping to get back playing in around half that time.
"It has been troubling me for a little while; it is nothing serious and I am pleased I had it done," says Rob.
"I had it at Newcastle as well, three or four years ago, and it is just a clear out of my knee.
"I hope I will be back in three or four weeks; I know I am getting a bit older but I still hope to recover quite quickly.
"I have not had too many injuries in my career so I am quite pleased about that and I want to get back as soon as possible.
"I can't do too much until the new year but once January comes I hope to get myself fit as soon as I can."
Rob is confined to the role of reluctant spectator and he adds:
"It has been very tough and frustrating watching but I have said all along I believe we are good enough to get out of this division and I still believe we will.
"In most of the games we have played in I think we have been the best team - we should never have lost the 3-0 lead at home to West Brom and we wouldn't have done if Jermain had stayed on."
He hopes that the fightback against Sunderland might prove a turning point and adds:
"I wasn't at the game because I had just had my op but to go two behind after the Stoke game - a team we really should be beating at home - and come back shows great character.
"Probably all the team lacks at the moment is a bit of confidence - we have certainly got the players and should be doing better in this league.
"We can definitely still make the automatic places."