Lucas Radebe's playing career could be over due to injury

The 35-year-old defender was carried off during the first half of Leeds' goalless draw with Wolves in the Championship on Saturday.

Medical staff at Leeds estimate he will be out for six to seven months, by which time his contract with the club will have expired.

Radebe, who is in his testimonial year, is however expected to continue working with the youngsters at Leeds as he attempts to gain his coaching qualifications.

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell told the club's official website "It really is a travesty for Leeds United and Lucas Radebe.

"We knew from the minute it happened that it was a serious problem.

"Lucas was moving forward to play the ball and he felt what he thought was a kick and that's usually the tell-tale sign of the tendon snapping.

"But he does not know the meaning of the word adversity. He always has a smile on his face and the man was still cheering the boys as they came into the changing room because he knows how important that point was for Leeds."

Radebe's career at Leeds, where he was club captain, has been hit by a series of injuries and he also suffers from a chronic knee problem.