Samuels faces up to knee needs

Marlon Samuels is weighing up the most important decision of his career, as he decides whether to undergo corrective surgery on his left knee.

Samuels, who was forced to fly home from West Indies' current tour of South Africa, has already had three operations on a problem that has afflicted him since he was a teenager. He is understandably concerned that a fourth operation may end his career prematurely.

Dr Askai Manasingh, a surgeon and chairman of the West Indies medical committee, is in favour of the move, but was sympathetic to Samuels' misgivings. "The unfortunate scenario is that no one can guarantee 100% that he will make a full recovery, even with the surgery," said Dr Mansingh. "He needs bone graft surgery which is a significant procedure so it's understandable that he would be nervous about it."

Dr Mansingh has been treating Samuels' knee since he was a teenager, and believes that without surgery, it will not put up with the high demands of international cricket. "I'm willing to discuss the timing," he said, "but prolonging the surgery isn't in Marlon's interest." Samuels, 23, is set to travel to New York this week for an appointment with orthopaedic specialist Dr Answorth Allen.