One Direction's Niall Horan Says Injured Knee Will Require Surgery In The Future

10 October 2012, 10:06 | Updated: 10 October 2012, 10:40

The 'One Thing' singer is on crutches because of an old injury and says he will eventually need surgery.

 One Direction star Niall Horan has been pictured out on and about on crutches this week and has confirmed the injury occurred while playing football, after first teasing Capital FM that he had hurt his knee in a squirrel attack.

The 'Live While We're Young' singer arrived at Capital FM last week holding himself up on a crutch, joking that a squirrel had attacked him in Battersea Park, but confirmed to fans on Twitter that it was a flare up of an old football injury and he would need surgery in the future.

"A squirrel attacked me. I got attacked by a squirrel in Battersea Park," Niall told Capital FM last week. 'They're dangerous. It's rare.

"Ya know that way I always had a bad knee, added to it playing ball the other day!" Niall tweeted, clarifying reports of his injury. "It's messed up now. Operation time. I'm on crutches hahahahaha! Funny as hell."

Niall confirmed later confirmed to a fan he had injured his meniscus cartilage, and said he would be putting off surgery on the old injury due to the lengthy rehabilitation time required. 

"Yeah that's what my original injury was about 2 years ago, jet got worse, then I was playing football and did ligaments!" He posted. "Yeh [I will have surgery] whenever I have time, coz i need about 2.5 months for rehab for it! 

He added: "It won't be until end of world tour I'd imagine."

Check out a picture of One Direction star Niall Horan on crutches this week below (Credit: MagicMomentsUK):

Over the summer Niall has repeatedly been rumoured to be dating The X Factor judge Demi Lovato, but the actress and singer has since claimed that although he is a "sweet guy" they are "just friends". 

One Direction topped the Vodafone Big Top 40 two weeks ago with their recent single 'Live While We're Young', and their new album 'Take Me Home' is due out on 12th November.