The England hierarchy will decide when it is best to have the surgery

The 28-year-old has retired from one-day internationals and will not be required by England until the Test series with India begins on 19 July.

Harmison said: "I don't want to miss any Test matches, but I want to be able to bowl at 90 miles an hour, not 80.

"If I can get through until the end of the summer, that would be great."

Harmison has been plagued by an erratic line and length on international duty this season.

He returned from the disastrous Ashes campaign, in which he took 10 wickets at a cost of 61 each, to regain his rhythm with his county side Durham.

An England spokesman said: "It is not currently affecting his bowling.

"He will require surgery at some stage but the timing of it will be decided by the England medical team."

In the first three Championship matches Harmison took 24 wickets, but struggled in the opening Test against West Indies at Lord's, taking 1-117 and 0-21 in the drawn encounter.

His inaccuracy was still a concern in the next two matches at Headingley and Old Trafford, but the wickets came more readily, with five and six taken respectively.