England captain Michael Vaughan is still hoping to play at least some of this year's Ashes despite having surgery on his right knee..jpg)
But while that would be the best case scenario for the beleaguered batsman, he admits there is also a chance he will never play again.
"I have real hope I'll get better. I'll do all the hard work and I believe there'll be another day when Michael Vaughan takes the field in an England shirt," Vaughan told English paper Mail of Sunday.
"But I have to be realistic. I've read I might never play again – and that might be the case."
Vaughan attempted a return to cricket earlier this year, playing in the county competition, but soon after was forced to undergo a fourth knee operation.
The 31-year-old is hopeful this operation will allow him to play on several seasons, and perhaps allow him join up with his team-mates in Australia in December or January, though he may not be so lucky.
"There are no guarantees. There is an area of the knee that's very worn – and there was a split in the cartilage," he said.
"They tell me the operation has been successful, but they'll only know for certain after rehab."
But does he believe he will play some part in the Australian summer?
"Probably not," he said, "but I'm going to hang on to that dream."
