Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne today revealed he has been told by surgeons there is a chance he may never bowl again.

Warne had major shoulder surgery in May following Australia's tour of India and although he hopes to be included in his state's team at the start of the season, he admitted it was possible his bowling career may be over.

"There is a slim chance of that. It's a bit daunting to think that you may never play again," said Warne at a dinner in Melbourne.

"The thing is, no other leg-spinner has had the operation. It puts some people out for 18 months and some never return."