Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic is set for another significant spell on the sidelines as he prepares for a second surgery this year.
Kovacic, 31, has missed the majority of this season after undergoing an operation on his achilles ahead of the Club World Cup in the summer.
The Croatian midfielder returned from injury briefly to make substitute appearances against Everton in the Premier League and Villarreal in the Champions League.
However, Kovacic felt discomfort in the achilles once more and will now undergo another surgery, which will keep him out until February at the earliest.