Venus determined to fight on

Last updated : 31 January 2003 By Brian Cartlidge
The 35-year-old veteran defender is currently out with a torn cartilage and tendon in the back of his knee and faces an operation and a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"I'm having a terrible, terrible time. It's a nightmare. Time is running out on my career and I've got to get my knee sorted," he told the Ipswich Evening Star.

"It's been dragging on and on. Every time I try and do something my knee swells up.

"If the operation is diagnosed then that will be for the best really I think. After that there will be definite light at the end of the tunnel. It may take six weeks or so to get back into action, but I'll have a target.

"I can look forward to the closing stages of the season. Once I've had the operation, which is most likely, then I can really focus again.

"I know I can still do a good job for this club and am determined to show it."