PONTYPOOL points machine Byron Hayward has revealed he has been playing with damaged knee ligaments and cartilage for the last three months.

The tireless campaigner, who has never once shied from giving his all to the Pooler cause, has been left barely able to walk in recent weeks because of the pain and stiffness in his left knee.

Hayward, who bagged his 305th point in Saturday's poor win against Tondu, received a steroid injection in the troublesome knee back in October.

Doctors told him the injection, which masks the pain of the injury, would wear off within 12 weeks and true to their words it has. hat has left fan favourite Hayward crippled with excruciating pain.

"It's been a nightmare," admitted Hayward.

"I cannot train properly and it's hindering my game, especially in contact. I get home after the match and I can hardly walk. I'm hoping to get a scan soon to see how bad the damage is. I'll definitely need an operation."

But Hayward is adamant he won't go under the surgeon's knife until the end of the season.

"I'll have another injection and hopefully that will keep me going until the end of the season. Then I'll have the operation. It is a worry though at the moment just thinking about how much long-term damage I could be doing," confessed the former Wales cap.

Despite the pain that is now becoming a daily feature of Hayward's life the top points scorer is remaining focused on league and cup success.

That means victory in tomorrow's cup game against Maesteg - a side he broke his jaw against the last time he played them.

"I haven't played them for a long time. The last I can remember was back in 1991 when I was with Abertillery. I was only about 19 or 20 and I broke my draw in a tackle. It was pretty painful," remembered Hayward.

He continued: "They'll be a very hard side to beat. Whether I play against them is another thing. At the moment with my knee I'd say it's about 60-40 against.

"Stuart (Lawrence) is a great player though and he's playing very well. If I don't play I don't think it will make that much difference because of him.

"They'll see us a bit like we saw Swansea in the cup last season. They'll want to beat us and from one to 15 I know they have a very competent side that is willing to run.

That could suit us, though, especially with their pitch. It's the best in their division and is good for running rugby. "Either way we need to be professional because there's a big prize if we win."

If Pooler do see off the challenge of Maesteg they will secure a top Welsh side in the next round. Hayward already knows who he would and wouldn't like to face.

"I definitely don't want Llanelli. They are cup kings are we must avoid them. Someone like Cardiff or Ebbw Vale then we have a chance. The talk is of the semi-finals, but I think that's a bit unrealistic. We can have a good run, though, for us and the fans and along with finishing top of the league that's what we'll aim to do."

Pontypool kick off at Maesteg on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Pooler have two places in the team to decide, Hayward's outside-half position and full-back, while there is also a space on the bench.

All players are reminded to meet at the clubhouse for 11.45am so that the bus can go early and a final line-up chosen.

Pontypool: A.N. Other, L Woodard, J Devereux, J Hawker, N Daniel, A.N. Other, N Lloyd, A Phillips, C Thomas, O Price, G Taylor, D Cross, R Field, S Waldron, M Jones. Replacements: K Ellis, B Jeffries, A.N. Other, L Jones, G Gunter, M Tuipuloto, K Faletau.