Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has revealed that he may have to play with an incurable heel injury for the rest of his career.
The 25-year-old has been out of action for the last three months and despite making his return last week, his condition, known as plantar fasciitis, will be an ongoing issue.
The England international has been told that a rupture of the tissue could help alleviate the pain but it could lead to another long spell on the treatment table.
The former Sunderland man told The Telegraph: "It was unbearable - every time I planted my foot it was like a burning, stabbing, nerve pain. Even lying in bed there was pain in my foot. It is much better now but there is always that question is it going to come back?
"But with my heel there isn't a time scale, there isn't really a cure. I've been pretty down about it because we couldn't find the answers. Now I'm at a point where I can function – where I can train and start playing some part in games. Hopefully I can continue like that and it will continue to get better.
"A lot of people have said to keep having cortisone injections and eventually it may just rupture and that might be the relief that is needed but no one knows. It can vary. People have been out for months after a rupture and others have been out for a week or two."
Henderson has made three league appearances for Liverpool this season and could make his first start since August against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Nathan Staples
