London, Jan 6 (IANS) Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone was forced to undergo major surgery after a fight scene for new action blockbuster 'The Expendables' went wrong - he fractured his neck in the freak accident.

The 63-year-old, who has performed his own stunts in the movie, was left reeling in pain after a fight with wrestling star Stone Cold Steve Austin turned dangerous.

'My fight with Stone Cold Steve Austin was so vicious that I ended up getting a hairline fracture in my neck. I haven't told anyone this, but I had to have a very serious operation afterwards. I now have a metal plate in my neck,' contactmusic.com quoted him as saying.

Stallone stars alongside fellow tough guys Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham in the movie, in which a group of mercenaries attempt to overthrow a South American dictator.