Sheffield Wednesday's Steve Watson has revealed that he is unlikely to play again professionally.
Owls ace set to hang up boots
Sheffield Wednesday's Steve Watson has revealed that he is unlikely to play again professionally.
The 35-year-old was told at the end of last season that he would not be offered a contract extension after an injury-plagued campaign.
Manager Brian Laws did not rule out the possibility of handing Watson a new deal if he could prove his fitness in the future.
Watson hopes that could still happen but admits that his long battle with a hip problem will probably force him to retire.
"It's very likely that I won't play again professionally, but I still want to get back to a decent level of fitness so I can play when I want to play," he told Wednesday's
official website.
"If I get fitter and stronger and it feels better, then I can't 100% rule it out that I won't give it another try.
"Coaching does appeal to me, but I'd have to make sure it's what I want to do."
Watson started his career with Newcastle before going on to spend time with Aston Villa, Everton and West Brom.
He added: "I've enjoyed my career and been lucky enough to play for five really big clubs and I'm curious as to what is going to happen next.
"I'm very reluctant to say that's the end of it because I still have the passion to play, but if you spend eight months out of the game at 35, it's a long way to get back."
