Fulham defender Zdenek Grygera has confirmed he will not return to action until next season after undergoing two operations on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The Czech, a summer signing from Juventus, suffered the injury during November's Premier League game against Tottenham.
He was initially ruled out for six months, but has revealed he is still at least three and a half months away from making his comeback.
"I'm feeling really positive about my knee and my recovery from injury," the 31-year-old told his club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com.
"I had two surgeries with Dr Richard Steadman, one before Christmas and one in February. Dr Steadman told me after the second surgery the recovery should be five or six months.
"With how I feel right now, I think the maximum will be five months but we will see later on when I start to run."