WORCESTERSHIRE badminton star Simon Archer may require a minor knee operation ahead of a tough series of ranking events in Europe.

Archer, 32, had his right knee strapped during the semi-finals and final of the men's doubles event at the National Badminton Champion-ships last week and may need surgery.

The former Olympic medallist turned the clock back at the English Nationals to land his first men's doubles title since 2001, his ninth in total.

Partnered by Anthony Clark, the duo defeated top seeds Nathan Robertson and Robert Blair at Manchester's Velodrome arena 15/10, 17/16 in a thrilling contest.

It was a particularly sweet victory for Archer, who teamed up with Nottinghamshire-based Clark last October after his previous partner Blair switched to Robertson.

But Archer may now need to go under the surgeon's knife to cure his knee problem and give him the best opportunity of claiming ranking points in the countdown to August's World Championships in Anaheim, California.

He said: "It is the same knee that I've had problems with before. It's the cartilage in the knee and it may need a bit of a clean-up, I don't know.

"I'm having a scan on it and it could be that I need one or two weeks to rest, or perhaps need a minor operation. That could mean I'm out for three to four weeks unless it's very, very bad. But I spoke to the doctor and I don't think the scenario is that serious."

Archer and Clark will be hoping to make an impression during three forthcoming tournaments. They first head to Mulhelm an der Ruhr for the German Open from February 28 to March 5, before challenging for the All England crown in Birmingham and then the Swiss Open in Basel.

The pair got off to a flying start this year winning back-to-back tournaments, scooping the men's doubles title at the Bitsburgen Open International and 40th Portuguese International Championships.