Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Woodgate faces a make-or-break groin operation, as he battles to save his injury-ravaged career.
The 30-year-old England international has not featured for Spurs since November last year and has already seen specialists in Australia and America in a bid to get to the bottom of the problem.
However, after suffering renewed difficulties during pre-season training, Woodgate is facing a crucial round of surgery.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp confirmed: "He's been all around the world, he's seen two specialists and he's going to get one more opinion.
"It's so sad for Jonathan, he's such a good player and a great lad as well. No-one could have tried harder but he just can't find a cure for it. The operation seems a last chance.
"If he has the operation it's going to be quite a long time again he's going to be out for before he is fit to play.
"He's been out to Australia, he was in America, he saw a couple of specialists and they felt maybe they had got to the bottom of the problem.
"But he came back and started pre-season and after a couple of days he had the same symptoms - it hadn't cleared up.
"Two specialists have said now that his only chance is to have the operation. Whatever it takes we'll back him 100 per cent, we would love to see him back and we just hope he can get it sorted."