Tottenham Hotspur forward Erik Lamela is to have surgery on his hip, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Lamela, 25, has not played since October due to a persistent hip problem and has since spent time in Buenos Aires on compassionate leave and in Rome, where he received treatment at his former club Roma.
The Argentina international has been back in London for nearly two months but has been unable to participate in full training, despite Tottenham saying in January that a scan had revealed no serious damage.
"Erik Lamela is to undergo surgery on his hip on Saturday," a Tottenham statement on their Twitter account read. "This will result in Erik returning to action next season.
"The Argentina international has undergone a comprehensive rehabilitation process following the injury in November. The player has achieved a good level of function, however he has been unable to reach the stage required to make a full return to training.
INJURY UPDATE: @ErikLamela is to undergo surgery on his hip on Saturday. This will result in Erik returning to action next season. pic.twitter.com/heu7xk6I2f
- Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 29, 2017
"Therefore, following ongoing extensive consultation with specialists, surgery has been agreed by all as the best course of action."
Earlier this month, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insisted Lamela's absence had nothing to do with the family issue that forced him to return to his homeland in December, but he said he did not know when the attacker would return.
"I can't say one, two weeks, three weeks, one month or maybe next season -- I don't know. My position is too difficult because we are assessing him every day," Pochettino said.
Lamela, who joined from Roma for £30 million in 2014, has two years remaining on his current contract and at the start of the season sources told ESPN FC that the club had opened talks over a new deal.