ALL-rounder Gavin Haynes has been forced to quit playing for Worcestershire because of a nightmare knee injury.

The 30-year-old is now planning to concentrate on a coaching career.

Haynes, who joined Worcestershire in 1989 and won his County cap in 1994, has been advised that he needs further surgery to remedy chronic tendinitis in his right knee.

He said today: "If I could be sure that I could resume playing full-time I would go for it, but there is no 100 per cent guarantee that an operation would allow me to do this, and so I have decided to call it a day.

"I realise I must now focus my future outside the playing of the game and I'm keen to concentrate on my coaching."

Stourbridge-born Haynes had an operation on the troublesome knee in February and has not made a first team appearance this season.

He has been working during the close season with the County and the Worcestershire Cricket Board as a cricket development coach for the past five winters.

New Road secretary Mike Vockins said: "Gavin has been responsible for our links with the Dudley Metropolitan Council and has established an excellent partnership with them.

"He has set up a number of very good coaching initiatives and has a lot to offer in this field as he is an excellent coach and organiser.

"We share Gavin's frustration at the setbacks he has suffered with his fitness, especially as he had become a key player in our one-day side and we have certainly missed his contribution and experience this summer.

"We are delighted, though, that he is keen to continue the cricket development coaching role he currently has here with us.

Haynes, however, has not entirely given up hope of playing again in some capacity.

He said: "Injuries like mine are supposed to respond best to rest and natural healing and, if that proves to be the case, there might be a chance of playing league cricket again or perhaps minor county cricket."