[Mighty T.A.L.]

Deportivo Coruna's Spanish international midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron will undergo surgery on an injured knee for a third time in the hope that he will be able to continue his career as a professional player.

"After nearly 14 months of medical treatment, physiotherapy and recuperation and after twice been given permission to play again it is clear that his left knee is not up to bearing the burden needed to play high-level football," club doctor Cesar Cobian told a news conference on Tuesday.

"As a result we have decided to operate on the knee again."

The 31-year-old midfielder first underwent surgery after tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee in January 2006.

Valeron returned to action six months later only to tear the ligament again while playing in a friendly against Benfica.

He was given the all-clear to return to action in January this year, but continued to feel pain in his knee and Cobian said the latest evaluation meant a further operation was inevitable.

"We want him to play football again and so we have put together an expert medical team to try and ensure his knee will regain its stability," he said.

"It is a complex injury because it will be the third time we have had to operate on the knee."

Source: Reuters