Heggem fears for Reds future

Heggem has not featured in a competitive match for the Anfield outfit since October 2000 and has waged a long battle to return to action.

However, the full back is struggling to regain a level of fitness that will enable him to play at Premiership level, and with his contract expiring on Merseyside at the end of next season, the 27-year-old's Anfield days could be numbered.

"At the moment it seems like I need another operation. This is probably my last chance at Liverpool," Heggem told his personal website.

"I have got only 15 months left of my contract and if I should continue at the club then I need to prove that I'm back in shape before then."

Liverpool's forgotten man returned to his homeland last week for a consultation with the Norwegian national side's medical staff.

Their doctor Lars Engebretsen recommended Heggem went under the surgeon's knife again, if he wanted to play top-level football.

"He can't give more than 80 percent of what he is able to just now," Engebretsen told Nettavisen.

"He misses the last 10-20 percent in the spurt. He feels that he cannot get back on the level that is needed to play at with Liverpool.

"The consideration now is about a new operation that can make him well again.

"He can be well for six weeks in a row before it goes bad again. He is in incredibly good shape and he could have played at a lower level.

"But now we are talking about his Liverpool career."