Matt Prior set for Achilles surgery in September

London: England wicketkeeper Matt Prior said he will have surgery on a long-standing Achilles problem next month.

Prior withdrew from England duty last month in a bid to get back to full fitness as he battled Achilles, quad and hand injuries.

The 32-year-old`s position in England team had already come under considerable scrutiny after below-par performances with both gloves and bat in the Test series against India.

After he pulled out, Prior`s place for the final three Tests went to Jos Buttler and he will remain out of the national set-up for the foreseeable future as he recovers from the operation.

"I`m still hurt, I`ve seen the specialists and surgeons and everything else. I`m having an operation on September 4 on my Achilles," said Prior in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.

"My Achilles has been the main issue, it`s been pretty bad, to be honest.

"It`s not the end, but there is a long road back and it starts from September 4 with four months of rehab to get as fit as I possibly can.

"It was a massive decision, but I went as long as I could. It`s been shown by specialists that I couldn`t physically have gone on any longer. So it`s now time to get it right, get fit again and come back stronger."

Prior earned the first of 79 England Test caps against the West Indies in 2007.