Fulham have confirmed that striker Andrew Johnson will be out for the rest of the season.
The 28-year-old has endured a nightmare campaign as collarbone, groin and knee problems have restricted him to just eight Premier League appearances.
The forward consulted renowned American surgeon Dr Richard Steadman and underwent knee surgery in Colorado on Thursday.
Following the surgery, Steadman has advised Fulham that Johnson will not be fit to return this term and the Cottagers expect him to take part in the latter part of pre-season training.
Johnson last played in the 2-0 defeat at Blackburn last month and Fulham manager Roy Hodgson had initially hoped he would be able to return in March before it was confirmed he would have to go under the knife.
The news is a major blow for Hodgson, who may also be without defender John Pantsil for the remainder of the campaign with a knee problem. The Cottagers also have forwards Clint Dempsey and Zoltan Gera sidelined through injury.
When it was confirmed Johnson needed surgery, Hodgson said: "I am disappointed in that, because I was still believing he was going to come back and it would not be that long.
"Now I may be looking at the rest of the season with a limited and inexperienced group of front players."