Chelsea full-back Jose Bosingwa is set to miss the next three months after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
The Portuguese international underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, which he injured last month and has kept him out of the first team ever since.
Chelsea originally hoped Bosingwa's problem would clear up with rest and strengthening work with the physios.
But after courting expert opinions over the last week it was determined that surgery was the best option.
Meanwhile there is better news regarding left full-back Ashley Cole, who is also out injured at the moment.
The depressed fracture of his tibia, which he originally suffered against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, is said to be healing well and the club do not expect him to require surgery.