Bermuda?s cricket captain Clay Smith goes under the knife early next year in an effort to get his troublesome left knee back into shape for the 2007 World Cup.

Smith could be out for as long as four months and has admitted he is prepared to ?sacrifice the whole domestic season? if that?s what it takes to get him fit to compete for cricket?s ultimate one-day prize.

The 35-year-old was visited by specialist Dr. Peter Millet last week in Bermuda and will jet out to Colorado ?some time after Christmas or early in the New Year? for the third operation on his knee, followed by ten days extensive rehabilitation at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic.

The surgery will torpedo the veteran?s chances for the Trinidad training camp, the 20-20 World Cricket Classic as well as the proposed incoming tour of India in April but the skipper believes it is the only way to get into the shape he needs to be in for the West Indies in 2007.

?I need the surgery, it is as simple as that and this is the best time to get it out the way,? said Smith, whose world-renowned surgeon has also operated on such well known sports personalities as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Monica Seles, Darren Gough and Robert Pires.

?Basically it comes down to years and years of playing football and cricket with no off-season to rest it. There is some arthritis in there as well as scar tissue and it all needs sorting out.

?At the moment even walking is troublesome, so I won?t be doing anything until I?ve had the operation and then for a few months afterwards.?

Smith also had the knee operated on in November, 2004 as well as in 2001 but believes this time his rehab will be better and that should solve all his long-term worries.

?The mistake I have made in the past is rushing back too soon to play in internationals or tournaments and things like that,? continued Smith, whose national side have been training now for more than a month, mostly on fitness work.

?But this time I won?t be making that same mistake. I am going to give it as long as it takes. The doctors say maybe three to four months, but I won?t be rushing back.

?I won?t be doing anything without a lot of consultation with the doctors as well as Daniel Morgan, our physio, and Gus (Logie). I don?t want to ruin the good work of the surgeons by rushing back for a match when, long-term, I would be better waiting.

?The aim is to be right for the World Cup and all our preparations for that and I am prepared to sacrifice the whole domestic season if that?s what it takes.?

And although Smith admits he is going to be frustrated by his prolonged absence from the national side, he admits it is an opportunity for other players to show what they can do.

?I won?t be playing so there will be a gap in the middle order and it gives other people a chance to play and stake a claim in the side,? said Smith, long enough in the tooth to know that this time around there is no point in pushing himself too soon into a return.

?It gives the coach a chance to try other things and will allow the team to work on different line-ups and experiment a little.

?It is going to be a long few months but if I come back with the knee strong enough that I don?t need anymore surgery on it and I can play how I want to, then it will all be worth it.?

Smith?s knee has long been a conundrum for those interested in the national sport, with the status of his joint taking centre stage in the lead-up to the ICC Trophy in Ireland in the summer, where Bermuda eventually secured qualification for the World Cup.

He missed a number of domestic games and there were serious questions being asked about his fitness ahead of the tournament. In the end, his knee held out although a hamstring injury picked up against the hosts forced him out of some of the games.