The 32-year-old, a veteran of 14 seasons and almost 400 games in the lower leagues, went under the knife in Manchester on Monday in a bid to finally resolve a long-term injury.

And the former York, Dewsbury, Rochdale and Hull KR player, who made the last of his four 2008 appearances against Batley a fortnight ago, admitted he is facing a battle to save his season.

"I need to sit down and talk to our medical staff about the rehab and how long it is likely to take, but the surgeon estimated between three and six months," said Ball, who revealed he has been playing with the help of pain-killing injections for the last year.

"Realistically, that's going to make it difficult for me to come back and find any sort of match fitness before the end of the season.

"It's an injury I've had since this time last year and I've been having injections to get me on the field.

"This season, it has gradually got worse and worse to the point where I couldn't sleep on it because it was too painful.

"I could have carried on with needles through until the end of the year but you get to a point where you need to think about your life off the field too.

"In the end, it was the right decision to have it done."

Ball openly contemplated quitting over the winter before opting to mix playing duties with his role as an assistant to head coach Matt Calland, and this setback could finally signal his retirement from the professional game.

"If this is the end, then it's not the way you would want to finish, but you have to play the cards you are dealt," said Ball.

"Overall, I have been pretty lucky with injuries.

"I had an ankle problem that kept me out for about nine months a few years ago, but that aside I have not had anything long term.

"I've played a lot of games and I think I've got the most out of my career."