Southampton captain Claus Lundekvam admits he is facing up to retiring from playing after undergoing further surgery on his ankle, while there was more bad news for fellow defender Andrew Davies.

The 35-year-old Norwegian had an operation at the start of the season, having suffered the initial injury against Southend during the final game of last term.

Lundekvam had pencilled in a return at the end of this month, but broke down in training and was forced to go under the knife once more on Monday.

"It's very depressing. I thought things were going okay and I was really looking forward to getting back playing," he told Saints' official website.

"There was no alternative to further surgery and that will decide my future.

"I needed to have the operation regardless of playing again and now we just have to look at how it has gone and where we go from here."

Meanwhile, Davies could be sidelined for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair his broken cheekbone.

The former Middlesbrough centre-half had an operation on the three fractures to his right cheekbone he sustained when he took a boot to the face during the recent 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

Saints medical chiefs are now awaiting the surgeon's opinion on whether he will be able to play again this term - possibly in a protective mask.

Davies joined Southampton on loan from Boro in October and completed a permanent switch in January.

Sporting Life / Eurosport