Waugh undergoes minor surgery on left ankle

Australian Test captain Stephen Waugh was discharged from a Sydney hospital today after undergoing minor surgery on his left ankle.

Waugh's operation repaired a posterior impingement, an injury that causes discomfort when one bone impinges on the bony outgrowth of another bone.

The discomfort in Waugh's ankle has increased in recent months during an intensive training program.

Waugh said he expected to be back training in two weeks and be fully recovered in six weeks.

"The experts have told me that I will have fully recovered from the minor surgery in six weeks, which gives me plenty of time to prepare for the Travelex Tour of Pakistan," he said.

"While nobody likes having surgery, it's in my best long-term interests to get the problem fixed now, so I can use my time off to fully recover.

"Bowling is part of my renewed focus in limited-overs cricket, so repairing the ankle and reaching peak physical fitness will certainly help my efforts with the ball."

Waugh will be placed on a graduated rehabilitation program after stitches are removed. Australian physiotherapist Errol Alcott will oversee the rehabilitation.

The surgery was carried out by leading Australian ankle surgeon Dr Martin Sullivan.