EDDIE Pepperell is willing to have a painkilling injection on his back in a bid to be fit for the climax of the European Tour season.

The 27-year-old was due to be teeing off at the lucrative Turkish Airlines Open today, but had to withdraw for the second event running.

Pepperell was warming up for his first round at the HSBC Champions event in China last week when he was struck down.

He said: “I was tired that morning but I was swinging really well, then I hit a four iron and bang, I felt a shooting pain.

“I knew what was coming because I remember hurting my back in Portugal three years ago.

“I was lying there for two hours. I didn’t want to cause too much of a scene, but that was pretty horrible, I just wasn’t able to move.”

The world No 34 flew back to the UK on Monday and immediately had an MRI scan.

His previous issue, which was diagnosed as a bulging disc, means doctors will be able to make a comparison.

While the priority is on making a full recovery, Pepperell is prepared to pull out all the stops to ensure he can play at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, which starts a fortnight today.

He said: “I’m not sure about Dubai yet. I think I’m going to need some medical intervention, maybe an injection, which I would do.

“There was no chance of me considering playing in Turkey.

“I do want to play in Dubai. I will do all I can to be there.

“I’m not the kind of person to dwell on things too much, I just want to have some mobility back.

“Lots of golfers have back problems, it’s just about learning to manage it.

“Usually when my back gets tight I have some signs, so this came as a bit of a shock.

“It’s no coincidence it came after a long journey. I’m going to need to be extremely prudent with all my exercises, particularly when it comes to travel.”