Surgeon fears over Pietersen's recovery

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Pietersen was expected to be out of action until September after undergoing surgery on an inflamed Achilles tendon, but Simon Moyes claims the prognosis could be worse.

"Although a surgeon from Sweden, with a special interest in this condition, has been flown in to deal with the injury, I believe it will be a minimum of three months before he is fully recovered. Even then there is still a risk that the surgery may not work," said Moyes, who works out of the Wellington Hospital in London.

He added: "Kevin Pietersen has a serious problem with his Achilles tendon known as chronic tendinopathy, which hasn't responded to the usual measures of physiotherapy and injections.

"Less than five percent of patients end up needing surgery for this condition and therefore he is most unfortunate.

"The surgery to the tendon is not always predictable and involves cleaning inflammatory tissue, necrotic tissue and neovascular tissue - i.e. new blood vessels."

Pietersen was first troubled by the injury on the winter tour of the Caribbean but had been hoping to play on with the aid of painkilling injections. The problem worsened, however, during the second Test victory at Lord's and it was decided an operation was necessary.

ECB chief medical officer Nick Peirce said: "The operation involved a small incision and trimming of the blood vessels and nerves around the inflamed tendon and appears, at this early stage, to have been routine.

"Kevin will look to undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation programme to ensure there is no risk of recurrence. This is expected to be approximately six weeks but will be taken at an appropriate pace following constant review."