Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co. said Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally will undergo surgery this week to repair a sports-related injury to his right shoulder.

The injury is “the result of a lifelong love for sports and tennis in particular,” and occurred over time rather than from a specific incident, Karen Hampton, a Ford spokeswoman, said today. “We don’t expect any extended leave.”

Mulally, 64, reported a surprise $997 million third-quarter profit on Nov. 2, and the company yesterday posted a 3.1 percent increase in October U.S. sales, its third in four months. The CEO joined the Dearborn, Michigan-based company in September 2006 from Boeing Co. Ford is the only major U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy.

He revealed his surgery plans at an employee “town hall meeting” Nov. 2 while discussing the third-quarter financial results, Hampton said in an interview.

“An employee asked him if he would consider going on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’” said Hampton, who was at the meeting. “He said, ‘Maybe someday, but not this week because I’m having surgery on my shoulder.’”

Mulally, an avid tennis player and golfer, canceled a speech he was to give in Seattle on Nov. 13 and rescheduled it for February. The surgery won’t significantly change his schedule, Hampton said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Keith Naughton in Southfield, Michigan at Knaughton3@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 4, 2009 18:02 EST