Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder insists they're not dicing with Shola Ameobi's fitness by putting off a hip operation.
The situation is far from ideal for both the player and his club. But having sought the advice of senior specialists at the renowned Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in the United States, club doctor Roddy McDonald has been told that Ameobi is not risking his career by continuing to make himself available for selection.
"When Roddy went (to Colorado) for Michael Owen's knee operation, he took Shola's hip scans and showed them to a guy who is considered to be the best hip specialist in the world," said Roeder. "He said that Shola will need an operation but said that if he is prepared to continue for as long as he can he shouldn't do any damage that would stop the surgeon being able to eventually do the operation that would cure him. The surgeon has left it in Shola's hands. He has been told he can stop now or carry on."