Whether it is just a few months break for rest and rehabilitation or a longer lay-off with surgery is uncertain yet.

Cairns, 28, said in Christchurch yesterday he would prefer the first option with a busy year in prospect.

``I'd like to think with some rest and strengthening work around the knee I can get through the season by managing it properly. I want to play as many games as I can.

``But it's also New Zealand Cricket's call depending on what the specialist says. It may be better over all to have surgery.''

The injury, known as ``jumper's knee'' because it often afflicts basketballers, is similar to that which sidelined Cairns in 1994 when he had his left knee operated on and was out of action for more than six months.

Cairns said the current injury had flared while playing for Canterbury in the Shell Trophy at the end of last summer. He was doubtful for the recent tour to Sri Lanka but because the pace bowlers were unlikely to be overworked, in conditions favouring the slow bowlers, he made the tour.

Cairns, who took his 100th test wicket on the trip, said he was also helped by the amount of rain and washed out days.

Cairns said bowling a 10-over spell in a one-day match was okay, but the problem was exacerbated by bowling several spells or successive one-day matches.

New Zealand has a demanding schedule coming up with domestic series against India and South Africa before heading to the World Cup in England next year and a tour of Britain.

Cairns is intending to put plenty of work into batting practice after experiencing a run drought like no other last season.

While topping the wicket-taking charts for New Zealand with 43 at 25.30, Cairns's batting average was 22.37 with three half-centuries.