Jon Wells admits his life, not just his livelihood, would have been on the line if he had elected to return to the field for Harlequins RL this season.

The veteran winger announced his retirement this week after failing to shake off the effects of neck surgery carried out in the off-season.

And the 31-year-old reveals it was not a decision he took lightly.

Wells said: “Obviously it is very frustrating as nobody wants to go out like this but on the other hand it has been made a lot easier as the decision has been taken out of my hands.

“My neck was bothering me for the last three or four months of last season and when they operated at the end of last year they found out there were a few other problems in that area.

“So I had a three-in-one fix, and although the original problem has cleared up the other issues remain.

“I’m perfectly fit but the truth is if I took some serious contact in that area I could be in a lot of trouble physically, and that is not a situation you want to be in in rugby league.”

Wells, who first came to the capital as part of the London Broncos in 2003, has been part of a lengthy casualty list at Quins this campaign that includes skipper Rob Purdham and stand-off Luke Dorn.

And the Wakefield-born back, who has 2010 as his designated testimonial year, says watching from the sidelines has not proved much joy this season.

Wells added: “That is the hardest part of being a professional sportsman - watching your team suffer when you cannot contribute.

“We have suffered from an awful lot of injuries this term and we know when we have our first-choice side out there we can not only compete with teams, but beat them.

“The key this season is to try and hang in long enough for those players to come back and make a difference.”

Wells was in front of the camera for Saturday’s visit of Huddersfield and may look to further that aim, although he admits he does not yet have any firm plans in place.

But the winger insists he will have nothing but fond memories from his time in London.

He added: “I got married down here and my daughter was born here and those things mean a lot.

“I honestly believe London rugby league is in a far better position than it was when I arrived, the problem is everyone else has improved as well.

“I know things are difficult at present and people are having to be thrown in at the deep end, I just hope the supporters stick with the club.

“Everyone attached with the club has the enthusiasm, the skill and the endeavour to succeed, it is just going to take time.”