Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has had knee surgery in a bid to be fit for the start of next season.
The 26-year-old had a minor procedure to fix a longstanding problem this week and he is now set to miss the club’s relegation run-in.
Bettinelli has been back-up to Sergio Rico and decided to have surgery to make sure he is fit for August.
Bettinelli, who earned an England call-up last year, last played for Fulham in their shock 2-1 home defeat by Oldham in the FA Cup on January 6. Fulham have Fabri to act as back-up for Rico for the remainder of the season.
The Cottagers are seven points from safety, with 12 games remaining. They play West Ham at the London Stadium next Friday and new signings Lazar Markovic and Havard Nordtveit are expected to be fit for the game.
The deadline-day arrivals have been building up their fitness this week and are set to be available to make their debuts at the London Stadium.
Boss Claudio Ranieri opted not to take his squad abroad this week as the heat builds on the Italian at Craven Cottage.
Ranieri was given a public show of support by owner Shahid Khan last week, but last Saturday’s toothless 3-0 defeat to Manchester United will not have gone down well.