Swansea midfielder Leon Britton is to travel to Germany next month to undergo a double hernia operation.
It is hoped the procedure will ensure the 30-year-old is fit in time to return for the start of pre-season training in July, ahead of a campaign which will see the Swans compete in the Europa League after their Capital One Cup triumph.
Britton will head to Munich with Swansea head physiotherapist Kate Rees for the surgery, having played through the pain barrier during the latter part of the season.
"For the last two months of the season my groin has felt quite tight, but I wanted to play through the pain and finish the season," said Britton.
"I missed parts of training in that time but it was necessary to ensure I was available for the games, although I did struggle a little bit in the last four to six weeks.
"I've had one hernia since December, and a scan around four weeks or so ago showed I had another one.
"So I will be flying out to Germany with Kate on June 2 and I'll have the operation two days later before flying back on the sixth.
"I've had a hernia operation before, around 2005, so I know the procedure.
"It means I will come in during the summer to do some rehab which will make sure I'm ready for pre-season training.
"Next season will be huge for us as we will be involved in four competitions, so I want to make sure I'm fit and ready when we report back for pre-season."
Source: PA
