Caddick was a star performer for Somerset in the 2007 campaign

The 39-year-old is suffering from a bulging spinal disc, but the club expects him to be fit for the start of the 2008 county season.

Caddick took 75 wickets last summer to help Somerset win promotion back to Division One of the Championship.

Director of cricket Brian Rose told BBC Radio Bristol: "The consensus view is the success rate is very good. Andy knows that and he's quite confident."

Somerset expect Caddick to be sidelined for up to six weeks and have pencilled in a date of mid-March for a return to full training.

Rose conceded there was a chance surgery could spell the end of Caddick's career, but he hopes the former England international comes back pain free and even better.

"I don't think he'll ever be the same again but Andy is keen to play for another couple of seasons at least and his motivation to get well will be pretty good," he added.

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"But if it does work and takes that discomfort away that would be great.

"There is a chance he's risking his career but he's got to do it. You've got to be positive about these things."

Batsman Marcus Trescothick, meanwhile, expects to be back to full fitness in the near future after undergoing an operation on his left foot last month.

"My rehabilitation is going really well," he said.

"I am back to 80% of my normal training routine. I can't do the impact stuff again yet, but I can certainly do more than enough to keep myself fit."