Levante midfielder Damiano Tommasi has dismissed claims that he will be forced into retirement as he prepares to undergo knee surgery.

Tommasi, 33, has announced he will return to Rome for a knee operation after attempting to play on without surgery since suffering the injury four weeks ago.

"I want to play for as long as my legs carry me," said the former Roma star. "I hope to be as competitive as I was before I was hurt."

Tommasi's contract expires in the summer and he confessed: "I am happy at Levante and living in Valencia. I know there's a lot more problems for the club to consider ahead of my renewal."