PAUL Weller's season could be over if Burnley achieve First Division survival at Rotherham today.

The long-serving midfielder is another player who has been fighting to stay fit in recent weeks as the Clarets inch towards the comfort zone.

Weller may need another operation to flush out a troublesome knee joint that has already required three operations.

And if the draw Burnley need to reach safety is forthcoming at Millmoor, Weller's season could be brought to a premature end, joining Dean West and Tony Grant on the sidelines.

Weller revealed: "The back of my knee has really been troubling me again in recent weeks.

"I've had three operations and it's come to the point when I may need to go in again and have the joint flushed out.

"Every time I've had the cartilage trimmed in the past I've been okay for a couple of years, but I'm getting pains in the knee again at the moment.

"It affects you in training and you can't train as you would like to, but while the gaffer is down on numbers I'm happy to battle on."

Weller, who has returned to first team action in recent weeks after enduring another frustrating season dogged by injuries, added: "I think we are getting to the stage where everyone needs to recharge their batteries and the end of the season can't really come quick enough.

"One more point will do it and if we can come away from Rotherham with that in the bag, we can all relax and start looking forward to the summer."

Brighton-born Weller, who is nearing the end of his testimonial year, will then turn his attention to discussing a new deal to keep him at Turf Moor.

The Clarets ongoing battle to avoid relegation has diverted focus away from organising a match in honour of the club's longest-serving player, who is closing in on 300 first team appearances.

But Weller admits he is keen to get negotiations underway if manager Stan Ternent still sees him as an integral part of his future plans.

The midfield ace said: "Like all the other lads out of contract this summer, I don't know if I will be staying. The key thing has always been for the club to maintain First Division football and once that is finalised, I'm sure the gaffer will start sitting down and talking to everyone.

"I don't know whether he wants me, but I'm sure he has already made his mind up because he won't have learned anything new about me in the last few weeks. The whole testimonial thing has been put to the back of my mind to be perfectly honest, but if we can sort something out there's always a chance it could be sorted in time for the next pre-season."