TOP local footballer Carl Poore has revealed he is facing the agonising decision of whether to retire due to arthritis – at the age of 29.

The Poole Town star is set to make the tough call in the next month after struggling to regain full fitness following surgery on his right ankle.

Poore, who captained Dolphins to Wessex League glory and promotion last season, has been a key figure in the Dorset club’s recent rise.

But he has been a frustrated spectator since being carried off in the FA Vase semi-final second leg defeat at Whitley Bay last April.

The former Wimborne Town and Dorchester Town defender, also a keen cricketer, went under the knife last year after an MRI scan revealed a split tendon, ligament damage and floating bone in his ankle.

Despite the operation proving a success, arthritis in his right ankle could force Poore to hang up his boots.

Poore, who has been trying to step up his recovery by playing for Cranborne in the Dorset Premier League, told the Daily Echo: “To be honest, the ankle is not in good shape.

“After every game, I am struggling. In the next couple of weeks, I have got to make a decision on what to do next season.

“The operation went well and the surgeon was happy with it but I have got arthritis in it now and I am struggling with that. It is flaring up after every game and training session so, at the moment, it is limiting what I can do.

“I am doing coaching courses in the summer so if the worst comes to the worst, I could go down that route. I have got to think of myself in later life and I don’t want to suffer in 10 years’ time.”

Poore has made 124 appearances since joining Poole from Wimborne in July 2008, but his injury has prevented him featuring in Dolphins’ Southern League play-off push this term.

He said: “I would love to go back to Poole because they are flying. It is hard not to be involved but great to know they are doing really well.

“I spoke to Tom Killick (Poole manager) who said to see how I felt and to make sure I made the right decision. If you make the decision to call it a day, you are a long time out of the game.

“At the age of 29, it is not the decision I want to be making.”

Right-back Poore added: “The last thing I want to do is knock it on the head but it is a case of whether or not I feel my ankle is going to give me some problems in later life.

“I am going to see a doctor and I am hoping there is something they can suggest to ease the problem and the swelling.”