London, Aug 16 (IANS): English wicketkeeper Matt Prior will undergo an achilles surgery next month and faces a recovery period of four months.

The 32-year-old, who had taken a break from the sport last month to regain his fitness, will have an operation on his long-standing achilles problem Sep 4.

"I’m still hurt, I’ve seen the specialists and surgeons and everything else. I’m having an operation on 4 September on my achilles,” Prior told ESPNcricinfo.

“My achilles has been the main issue, it’s been pretty bad, to be honest."

Prior, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2007, said he was not retiring from the sport but knew very well that the return would be an arduous one.

“It’s not the end but there is a long road back and it starts from Sep 4 with four months of rehab to get as fit as I possibly can."

“It was a massive decision but I went as long as I could. It’s been shown by specialists that I couldn’t physically have gone on any longer. So it’s now time to get it right, get fit again and come back stronger.”

Prior came in for some stick after lacklustre performances against India in the ongoing five-Test series with his place for the final three Tests going to Jos Buttler.

“I think he’s done brilliantly,” added Prior. “The one thing he has done that is massive for keepers is scoring runs. When you’re scoring runs it takes pressure off your wicketkeeping. Jos has done brilliantly and good luck to him.”