Avenue full back Martin James may have played his last game of football.

The former Preston North End, Stockport and Rotherham defender is having an injection in a long-term back injury today and will face at least two months out of the game.

But the 32-year-old is resigned to the fact that he may have to retire after specialists warned him that he may be left needing a hip replacement within five years if he keeps playing the game.

And James, who runs his own sports advertising business, is concerned that the injury could affect his business career as he has to drive long distances with work.

"I could have an operation that would have put me out for up to nine months," said James, who has more than 250 league appearances under his belt as well as a spell with Leigh RMI and a brief stint at Avenue's rivals Accrington Stanley. "But I have gone for this injection which is designed to reduce a bulge in one of my discs.

"I will be out for about eight weeks but I have to be realistic about what happens after that."

He has missed a number of games this season with his recurring back problem, the injury that forced him out of the professional game four years ago.

And having been warned of a "significant, dramatic, arthritic change" in his hip, which is related to the back problem, he is concerned about promising a comeback next year.

"You don't want to be saying that you are packing in," he said. "But I am going to have think carefully. I am only 32 and run my own business so I have to think about my future."

James has been a steadying influence in defence this season but his back problems have returned to haunt him and he has suffered from pins and needles in his legs after matches.