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Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri underwent hip surgery this week but the veteran is expected to be fit for the start of the 2009 season in September.

Vinatieri, one of football's best pressure performers, had been experiencing nagging discomfort in his right hip for more than a year before being treated by Dr. Marc Phillipon.

"After consultation with our doctors and others, the surgical procedure was deemed the most effective course of action at this time," the Colts said.

"Dr. Phillipon believes that this procedure will not affect Adam's availability this season."

Vinatieri, 36, is best known for his 48-yard field goal as time expired to lift the New England Patriots to a 20-17 victory over the St Louis Rams in the 2002 Super Bowl.

Two years later, he duplicated his Super Bowl heroics against the Carolina Panthers, his 41-yard field goal with four seconds left giving the Patriots a 32-29 victory.

Signed by New England in 1996 as an undrafted free agent, the kicker joined the Colts in March 2006 as an unrestricted free agent.

He is the only player to record successful field goals in four Super Bowls and the only kicker in league history to have played in five NFL title games.

Reuters