Hat-trick hero Jermain Defoe revealed he cancelled groin surgery to play in England's 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifier win against Bulgaria on Friday.
Defoe's troublesome groin has forced him to put in extra sessions at the gym to strengthen the area after complaining of soreness during England's 2010 World Cup campaign.
After he limped off during the first leg of Spurs' Champions League qualifier with Swiss side Young Boys, Defoe conceded surgery was the only option to correct the problem.
But Defoe chose not to have the operation so he could be involved in England's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Now it appears the 27-year-old's gym work may have improved the condition to such an extent an operation can be avoided.
"I'm glad I didn't have it now," the striker said of the operation.
"It's been a little bit sore to be honest, but I've done a lot of work in the gym - a lot of core work - to try to improve it and I didn't get a reaction."
Defoe, the first England player to score a hat-trick at the new Wembley stadium, limped off shortly before the end but the substitution was not related to his groin.
He revealed he'd received a knock to his ankle and the move was precautionary to ensure his fitness for Tuesday's second Euro qualifier with Switzerland in Basel.
Defoe's joy was tempered by what appears to be a serious knee injury to his Spurs' team-mate Michael Dawson.
The 26-year-old centre-back's leg buckled under him awkwardly during the second half and he was stretchered off in pain.
With the big defender set to have scans on the injury, Defoe is hopeful the injury isn't as bad as first feared.
"He's on crutches at the minute," Defoe said.
"Hopefully, it's not his knee. Maybe it's his ankle. It looked like he was in a lot of pain. I just hope he's all right."