The former European Cup winner has had a recurring Achilles problem all season. The injury caused him to limp out of Hibs' first-leg UEFA Cup clash with AEK Athens in September and has continued to cause concern.

Sauzee, capped 39 times for France, has been flying to and from Paris to consult special-ists and has also worked rigorously with medical staff at Easter Road.

However, a three-week rest period has been advised for the inspirational skipper - and could be pivotal in determining whether he can continue to perform to the standards which have made him a hero in Leith.

Boss McLeish admitted tough decisions will have to be made, if rest does not ease the problem.

He said: 'There will come a time for a decision in the next two to three weeks, if he is still feeling pain. He is going to have to decide whether it is something that will always be there with him.'

McLeish, who signed Sauzee from Montpellier in 1999, added:'It is maybe something you have to come to terms with if you are an older player. It will be up to Franck to see if it is restricting him too much to achieve his usual high standard.

'Saying it is career-threatening is too dramatic because it is hoped the rest period will get rid of the pain completely. I don't think he is in agony but every time he puts his foot down to run, he can feel it niggling away.

'If it was in the back of his mind during games he may not be totally focused.

'He is still getting laser and ultra-sound treat-ment. I don't know if he needs an operation.

'But if he does, at 36 it may be a bridge too far.'

Former Marseille ace Sauzee has always said, even after signing a new two-year deal in the summer, that he would know when to quit the game.