OLLIE Mann has admitted he may never play again.

The hot-shot striker has conceded that his season is over and there are doubts surrounding his future due to a long-standing knee injury.

The 23-year-old signed for Ryman League Premier Division newcomers Leiston in the summer after netting 103 times for Brantham Athletic in three seasons, but has played just three matches this season.

He has had problems with the knee for the last three years and had an operation last January to remove some tissue.

Now Mann has been left “gutted” after realising that there is no guarantee he will play again.

Mann said: “The surgeon said there is no operation he can do. It is a tissue injury and there is inflammation in the knee.

“He says it will soothe over time, so the only thing he can advise is to rest.”

Mann, who has also received help from Leiston, estimated he had spent �1,000 of his own money plus loss of earnings, in a bid to solve the problem.

“I have done the best I can, seeking the best medical advice, and I have invested a lot of time and money.”

Mann, who works as a carpenter, continued: “I have had a lot of time off work to get to the bottom of the problem.

“Now that I have knocked football on the head the knee has become more comfortable at work, which is good.

“I won’t play again this season, and there are doubts I will play again.

“I would love to play again and I will do everything possible to play at any level of football, or indeed other sport, to keep myself fit.

“I am gutted as I feel I have not achieved anything and there was always going to be more to come.”

Leiston manager Mark Morsley said: “Ollie still has a two-year contract with us. He had an injury-protection clause where he continued to be paid for a certain period of time, which has now run out.

“We are still hopeful that he will get fit and come back and play for us.”