Derby County trialist Dusan Svento is refusing to give up hope of landing a permanent stay with the Premier League new boys, despite having suffered knee ligament damage.

The Slovakia international injured his knee in a pre-season game against Macclesfield and it was thought that his rehabilitation could take in the region of six months.

However, Svento is clinging on to the belief that he can avoid surgery, insisting that he has not ruled out the prospect of being able to return within two weeks.

"It is not clear yet if I will go (for surgery) or not," he told Sport.

"Now there are two weeks of rehabilitation ahead of me and after them we will see if the situation has changed.

"There is a chance to avoid it. The knee can work without the ligament as well.

"We will see. So far, I cannot say if I will undergo it or not. What the doctor told me, I have forgotten after two minutes. I have been shocked by all that. "

Svento has yet to discuss the situation with any officials at Derby and he concedes that he is leaving any negotiations in the hands of his agent.

"So far I have not spoken to anyone (at Derby)," Svento conceded.

"Anyway, my agent discusses everything with them so they certainly know my situation.

"I don't know how they will react. It is unpleasant for me, it will be unpleasant for them as well, that is how things are."