NEWCASTLE, England Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer will not play again this season because of a knee injury and could face further surgery.

The 30-year-old former England captain has been struggling for fitness since undergoing an operation to cure tendinitis in his right knee on December 27.

He visited specialist Dr. Richard Steadman in the United States in March and was told to rest the knee but further scans have revealed the injury has still not healed.

"I have been clinging to an outside chance that I might play again this season but this is not going to be possible," Shearer said.

"United have sent further scans to Dr. Steadman and he claims that while there has been some improvement, the knee is still not right.

"He has told me to start light jogging next week but if there is any pain I would have to stop straightaway.

"I will fly over to see Dr. Steadman at his clinic again next month for another examination and I will just have to take it from there.

"I have been preparing myself for the worst and if I need another operation then so be it."

Shearer, now retired from international football, first sustained the injury at Euro 2000.

After three steroid injections failed to relieve the problem, he underwent surgery in December and briefly returned to action in February before breaking down again.

(Reuter)