LONDON: Kevin Pietersen feared his career might be over when he developed an infection after undergoing Achilles surgery 11 months ago, England`s premier batsman said on Sunday.

"It was a pretty dark time," the 29-year-old told the Mail on Sunday newspaper. "The infection was really bad.

"I was told by the surgeon it was career-threatening so for two days I sat there on a drip thinking: `Where am I going to go from here?` Things looked pretty bleak."

Pietersen took a while to recover before returning to the middle order for the tour to South Africa in November.

Although England regained the Ashes with a home victory over Australia, 2009 proved a less than perfect year for Pietersen especially after he had quit as captain in January following a breakdown in his relationship with then-coach Peter Moores.

"After what I went through last year, I did fall out of love with the game," Pietersen said on Sunday. "But I am back in love with it now."

The South African-born batsman is due to line up for England in Southampton on Tuesday for the start of a five-match series of one-day internationals against Australia.

BDST: 1146hrs, June 20, 2010
SA