Fulham striker Bobby Zamora's Achilles problem could wreck his England World Cup chances.

Zamora's form had put him in contention for a call up to Fabio Capello's England squad. But the possible need for an operation could wreck his dream of a trip to South Africa.

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson said: "I'm not saying an operation is an absolute must. All I'm saying is that when the time is right, because it is a minor cleaning up operation, he might choose to have it to be 100 per cent certain it will be okay for next season.

"If anything happens like a call up to England I'm sure that will put a different complexion on the matter and it may be would provoke a different decision."