LAKERS UPDATE: SHAQ PLANS ON SURGERY WEDNESDAY REMAINS TARGET.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

Shaquille O'Neal is expected to undergo toe surgery on Sept. 11 as scheduled despite the lingering effects of a recent viral infection.

O'Neal, speaking on a national radio show Wednesday, said doctors might delay the procedure because his liver continued to show signs of the infection. But Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and O'Neal's agent both said later in the day a delay is unlikely.

``We've always said it's possible that it gets delayed, but that is not expected,'' agent Perry Rogers said. ``I'm anticipating this surgery is going to go forward as expected.''

Because of the inherent risks of infection, doctors generally will not perform elective surgery if a patient already is suffering from an illness.

According to Rogers, O'Neal underwent blood tests Wednesday and ``we anticipate that he'll be OK.''

O'Neal said another test was scheduled for Monday.

O'Neal, suffering from an arthritic condition in his right big toe, played through intense pain all last season. Daily therapy and powerful drugs such as Indocin allowed him to keep playing and lead the Lakers to their third consecutive championship, but O'Neal fears the long-term effects of anti-inflammatories.

After seeking out no fewer than four medical opinions - three outside the organization - O'Neal decided to have surgery.

Doctors cannot cure the arthritis, but they do hope to increase O'Neal's flexibility and minimize his discomfort. Dr. Robert Mohr of the UCLA Medical Center will perform a cheilectomy, in which he will shave bone spurs from the toe.

Recovery requires a minimum of six weeks, which means O'Neal conceivably could return in time for the Oct. 29 season opener - if he doesn't delay the surgery.

``Right now there's something wrong with my liver,'' O'Neal told ESPN Radio's Dan Patrick. ``My liver's not showing up like it's supposed to be on the tests. So everybody's a little bit worried about that. I've got to take one more test on Monday, and then if my liver is normal ... then I'll get the surgery.''

O'Neal speculated Indocin could be the culprit but noted that viral infections, such as the one he recently suffered, also can cause the liver to swell.

Meanwhile, Kupchak said he's operating on the assumption O'Neal will not be ready to start the season. Already, he has signed a marginal center prospect - Soumaila Samake - to a non-guaranteed deal, and the Lakers continue to scour the market for possible short-term replacements.

``The best-case scenario is he has the surgery on the 11th, and it takes him exactly six weeks to return and he's ready for the opening game,'' Kupchak said. ``I don't think that's something we should assume. So our approach has changed a little bit.''