Scotland cap Kevin McDonald has opened up on his battle with a chronic kidney disease and revealed he is set to undergo a transplant next month.
The former Dundee midfielder has been living with kidney failure for most of his career after issues were found at the age of 18.
McDonald has been sidelined at current club Fulham this term while undertaking coaching at Craven Cottage with the under-23 side.
The 32-year-old has not started a game for the club since February last year in the Championship.
McDonald hopes to return to the pitch after the surgery and a recovery period.
He told the club website: "I’ve had it my whole career and been under the orders of the doctors throughout my whole career.
"I’ve had a lot of people asking why I am not playing or not going on loan.
"Football has been great but this needs to take over.
“I want to get it done now, make sure everything is right and come back from it and live a normal life again.
“I'm 32 and I could probably play until I'm 35. The Premier League is probably too fast, but I know where I am in my career.
“Will I want to play football? Will I be ready physically or mentally or do I go down the coaching route? I won't know until I get the operation done and see how I will feel.”
He has represented Scotland five times with his first appearance for the national side coming in 2018 against Costa Rica.
