ALBION defender Colin Hawkins has been told his career is not over – but he needs surgery to repair a persistent Achilles problem.

He has been provisionally booked in for an operation in Sweden next week.

The surgery will be carried out by Swedish Achilles specialist Hakan Alfredson and will rule Hawkins out for a further eight to 12 weeks, although he is expected to make a full recovery.

It is a relief for the 32-year-old Irish centre-half, who feared his career could be over.

Albion physio Jim Joyce said: “Colin was worried there was nothing else we could do.

“Now, although he is going to be out for longer, the surgeon has told him he can do something about it.”

Alfredson, a world renowned expert in his field, operated on Hawkins’ left Achilles during his time at Coventry.

The former Republic of Ireland international has been suffering pain lower down the same Achilles since September and various treatments have failed to cure the problem.

Hawkins has been restricted to 17 starts for Albion since former boss Micky Adams signed him from Coventry in May 2008.