SAINTS stalwart Claus Lundekvam has all but admitted defeat in his bid to return to action after major ankle surgery and is set to hang up his boots.

The 35 year-old went under the knife again on Monday to re-attach a tendon which had come away from the bone.Lundekvam needed a second operation after breaking down in training during his recovery from the ankle injury he suffered in the final league game of last season against Southend.The Norwegian, who has played close to 400 games for Saints since joining in 1996, had hoped the second operation - he had the first at the start of this season - would enable him to play again.But he admitted last night: "It looks like this is it and I will have to pack up. There was a lot more work done than I was hoping. "The surgeon managed to reattach the tendon but he had to break my heel in two and moved it over to put a screw through and make the ankle a lot more stable."It is bad news. Really, it is game over for me now which is devastating. It has not really sunk in yet. I had tried to prepare myself mentally over the last few weeks but it is still hard to take."I had a long chat with the surgeon this morning and he said this was the only way he could make the ankle as strong as possible for a normal active life in the future. "But it will not be strong enough to play football at this level. I just can't do it." Lundekvam said he was desperate to make a comeback but feared problems later in life if he pushed the ankle too far."I really want to do it," he continued. "But I just can't risk it because it could cause me huge problems in later life. "I will be in plaster and on crutches for six weeks and then start my rehab to make it as strong as possible and I will see how it goes."But any chance of playing football at this level has gone. It is a very sad day but that is just the way it is."I am lucky that I suppose it happened now at 35 and not when I was 20 or 22, that would have been much worse."I have had plenty of good years and I cnnot really complain. It is just frustrating because I had felt I was on the end and thought I would be able to play again this season. "But then right out of the blue it went again and surgery was the only option."Lundekvam said he will now turn his attention to arranging a testimonial, which he hopes will take place in the summer and will give him " a proper chance to say goodbye."He added: "That will give me something to take my mind off it but it is doubly frustrating because of the situation the club is in."It is very hard watching from the sidelines and not being able to help. But there is nothing I can do about it."It is just one of those things and I am grateful to everyone at the club for all the help and support they have given."I have had a career and I have loved playing for Southampton. I am just sad it is over."