Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba has refused to call time on his career despite suffering a broken leg while playing in the Chinese Super League.
The 31-year-old sustained a fractured left tibia during a tangle with Sun Xiang during Sunday's derby match between Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG.
Shenhua head coach Gregorio Manzano admitted that the injury could spell the end of Ba's football career, but he has vowed to battle back in time for next season.
"This is a really bad injury but I know I can overcome it. I won't call time on my career, that's for sure. They haven't done the full operation because I told them to wait. I wanted to go to Europe to have it done but when I learned that was not possible I arranged with the doctor here to sort me out a French surgeon who should arrive shortly. He will operate on me," Ba told Radio Monte Carlo from his hospital bed.
"There are other players who have returned from similar injuries, like Hatem Ben Arfa. Something similar happened to me earlier in my career and the treatment options are much better now. I think I'll make a speedier return this time.
"The season here ends in November and the new one starts in March. I'll do my best to return in time for the season after that."
Ba is currently the league's top scorer with 14 goals in 18 games.
Barney Corkhill
