Basketball superstar Lauren Jackson has been forced to go under the knife again, but says the latest surgery is only a speed bump and will not stop her from hitting the court for the Canberra Capitals before Christmas.
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Jackson had an arthroscope on her troublesome knee in Melbourne on Wednesday - her fifth operation in 10 months - but returned to Canberra on Thursday and says she could be back training as early as next week.
Jackson is coming back from major hip surgery, which ruled her out of this year's world championships, and felt a twinge in her knee as she stepped up her training intensity last week.
Surgeons removed loose cartilage, only a minor operation, but it is another frustrating delay for the 33-year-old and the Capitals.
Jackson signed a three-season deal with Canberra worth $1 million, but sat out the entire first season and has already missed the first five games of this summer's WNBL championship.
"This is just part of the process of getting back on court for the Caps," Jackson said in a statement, via the Capitals.
"I'm already back on my feet and will be back training on court in the next week or so, and can't wait to get back with game time for the Caps and with my teammates."
The Capitals play their next home game at the AIS Arena on Sunday, but coach Carrie Graf was comfortable the star forward was still on track to return before Christmas. By the new year, the Capitals will have played 13 of their 22 regular-season games.
"Lauren has been doing everything possible to rehab both her knee and hip ... she's had a small procedure this week to tidy up some loose cartilage and we expect her to be back running as early as next week," Graf said.
"Our expectation was always to have her back before Christmas and that has not changed."
Jackson recently told Fairfax Media she felt she could play on for at least another five years after undergoing surgery on her hip and knee.
Australian Opals forward and Capitals captain Abby Bishop has been left to carry to load in Jackson's absence.
Capitals general manager Lachlan Searle said Canberra had always maintained a long-term vision with Jackson's recovery and would not rush her return. Although she has not played, Searle was adamant Jackson was worth her record WNBL price tag.
"We've taken a long-term view. Obviously Lauren's with us this season and next season so we want to get her right," Searle said.
"She's obviously an outstanding player and it'd be great to have her a part of the team, but I don't think it's the be-all and end-all for the Caps. They're doing quite well at the moment. Abby's obviously playing well and taking a fair bit of the load there.
"She's a quality athlete on the court and certainly from an ambassador's point of view she's very strong ... you only have to look at kids going up to her after a game."
In a boost, Australian Opals recruit Hanna Zavecz, who also suffered knee cartilage damage, could be back in the next fortnight. Zavecz was ruled out for up to eight weeks, but latest medical advice is that her recovery period could be halved.
