Tottenham midfielder Steven Pienaar fears he may need surgery on groin injury

2010 FIFA World – South Africa vs Uruguay, Steven Pienaar , Egidio Arevalo (Getty Images)

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Tottenham midfielder Steven Pienaar hopes he will not have to undergo surgery on the groin problem he sustained a month ago.

The 29-year-old, who sat out the 0-0 draw with West Ham on Saturday, says the injury keeps getting worse and fears he may need to have an operation.

“I picked it up a month ago. The more I train the worse it gets, but I rest it and I’m able to carry on,” he said.

When quizzed over the possibility of having an operation, said: “Let’s hope not.”

Pienaar has been included in the South Africa squad for the upcoming 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Egypt at Ellis Park.

National team boss Pitso Mosimane admits it is a concern that his captain is carrying the injury, claiming his experience at international level, as well as in Europe, is invaluable.

He said at a press conference: “It is a concern, because he is an important member of the team. Yes, it is a concern – we need his contribution and leadership as captain.

“We need his experience from playing in the Confederations Cup, World Cup and more recently in the Uefa Champions League, playing away at San Siro against AC Milan.”

Team doctor Ephraim Nematswerani said: “Pienaar arrived on Sunday with a two-week history of a mild bilateral groin pain, meaning pain on both sides of the groin, left and right.”

He added: “When all players arrive they are assessed and a decision will be made whether they stay in camp and if they are not fit to stay in camp, they are ruled out.

“In this case, we made an assessment and the player is staying on in camp, because we are satisfied that his injury is mild and he will start training on Wednesday.”