Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone will have a second operation on his injured right ankle on Friday, ending any hope he had of returning to first-team action before the end of the season.
Huddlestone had been recovering from the ankle surgery he underwent at the end of 2011, but after consultation with a specialist it was decided he now needs a further operation to help the reconstruction of his lateral ankle ligament.
The club insist the news is not a setback but merely the next stage of his rehabilitation - although it will nevertheless mean he will be unable to play any part in Spurs' Premier League run-in.
"Tom Huddlestone will undergo a second stage of surgery on Friday to further his recovery following ankle surgery at the end of last year," a club statement confirmed.
"The midfielder has progressed well since his initial surgery, with the specialist determining that the anticipated reconstruction of a lateral ankle ligament is the next step towards the England international making a return to full fitness."
Huddlestone is now hoping to get himself in a position to join up with the rest of the squad for pre-season ahead of the new campaign.
"Thanks for [the] messages!" he tweeted. "My season is over before it's even started, operation [on] Friday!! Main objective is to make sure I'm 100% for pre-season."
Huddlestone has made just four appearances for Harry Redknapp's side this season.
http://sport.uk.msn.com/football/huddlestone-season-over-as-he-needs-second-surgery
