Sunderland striker Niall Quinn will see a specialist today in a bid to prevent his long-running back injury ending his playing career.
The 36-year-old former Republic of Ireland international will see a specialist fearing the worst after having to pull out of last night's 1-1 Premiership draw with Bolton.
"I've had problems for more than 18 months and I'll see the surgeon, but I'm not hopeful," he said.
Manager Howard Wilkinson confirmed that Quinn, the only member of Peter Reid's management team to remain in place after his departure, will have a scan but would not be drawn any further.
Quinn's future has been the topic of speculation for some time as his back problem has become increasingly severe.
He admitted before last summer's World Cup finals that he would sit down with then-manager Reid and discuss the way forward on his return, and agreed to take on a reduced playing role, as well as a place in the coaching set-up, for the final year of his existing contract.
Quinn joined the Black Cats in a £1.3 million sterling move from Manchester City in August 1996 and his partnership with Kevin Phillips was the driving force behind Sunderland's rise from First Division mediocrity to the Premiership's top seven in successive seasons.
Reid realised some time ago that he needed to replace Quinn, and tried the likes of Lilian Laslandes, Patrick Mboma, David Bellion, Kevin Kyle and more recently, record signing Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart in his place.
Now Wilkinson may finally have to pick up the pieces of the day his predecessor knew would eventually arrive amid fears that the end of a fine career is fast approaching.