SIENA (Olympics) – Montepaschi Siena’s Lithuania international Rimantas Kaukenas has been out of action for several months this season following knee surgery and he admits to having a huge regret.

"In hindsight, I wish I had not waited three weeks between sustaining the injury and undergoing surgery,” Kaukenas says.

“Had I had the operation immediately, I would be playing right now.”

If he were playing, Kaukenas would be in the semi-finals of the Lega A play-offs, where Montepaschi are now after sweeping Fortitudo Bologna 3-0 in the first round.

As it is, Kaukenas, an explosive scorer, must watch, and wait.

The 1.92m Kaukenas enjoyed his finest moments last season with both Montepaschi and Lithuania.

He was voted MVP of the Lega A Finals after leading the Siena club to the title, and then, when finally getting a chance to play for his country, he delivered big style.

Kaukenas started and helped the Lithuanians capture a bronze medal to qualify for the Beijing Games.

The surgery has damaged his chances of playing at the Olympics, but Lithuania’s Basketball Federation has not given up hope on his return with a spokesman telling FIBA “Kaukenas is 50-50” in terms of his chances of making it to Beijing.

Kaukenas is keeping his fingers crossed that he will play able to return to the court soon.

"I am doing well,” he says.

“The recovery process from a cross ligament injury has taken longer than expected.

“For the time being, I continue to train alone.”

Most players must overcome injuries at some point in their careers, and the recovery process is always frustrating although Kaukenas says that his time off hasn’t been all bad.

"This has been the first serious injury I've suffered in my career and I wasn't sure what I would have to endure,” he says.

"The most difficult part comes now. But I don't consider this season wasted as I have been able to rest.

“At 31, when you don't have many breaks, you need it. But now I want to return to the court. Siena without me have done well. I just want to be able to play important minutes in the play-offs."

Montepaschi finished third in the Euroleague and also set a record with 31 wins in the regular season in the 18-team Lega A.

FIBA