Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon will soon undergo back surgery.

Buffon has been struggling with injury all season and managed just 45 minutes of the World Cup before suffering a herniated disc.

"I have decided. I've had enough of living with this uncertainty, so I will have surgery," he told the Corriere dello Sport.

"The operation won't be immediately, but in 2011 I'll be back as good as new. I might even return earlier, but I won't kid myself.

"Let's just say I am focusing on January for my comeback. I intend to take all the time I need."

Buffon added: "I'll tell the truth, I should've done this sooner, but I was always told that people needed me. Now I'm the one who is in need.

"Besides, Juventus are in safe hands with Marco Storari and Alex Manninger."