The world's most successful leg-spinner had a major shoulder surgery in May following Australia's tour of India. But he told a dinner in Melbourne last night there was a slim chance he may not play again.

``There is a slim chance of that,'' Warne said. ``It's a bit daunting to think that you may never play again. The thing is no other leg-spinner has had the operation. It puts some people out for 18 months and some never return.''

Warne said he hoped to be back by the end of the year with his Victorian state side but acknowledged it was unlikely.

``I was told before the operation that if I had have kept going I might have only had 50 percent use of my shoulder for the rest of my life,'' he said.

Warne has 313 wickets in Test cricket but has been worn out by being Australia's most-bowledplayer, twice as much as most of the other members of the attack.

That load has taken its toll in the last few years.

He will miss the September tour of Pakistan where the spin duties will be shared by Stuart Macgill, Gavin Robertson and part-timer Colin Miller.