Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel will spend the next eight months sidelined after undergoing a successful knee injury.
The Dutchman, who joined the Blues in 2013, spent last season on loan with native side PSV Eindhoven and was instrumental in their Eredivisie title triumph.
Van Ginkel scored 14 goals and assisted four others in 28 appearances for PSV en route to their claiming of the league title.
It was previously thought that he would either be given a chance to prove his worth at Stamford Bridge or loaned to Frank Lampard's Derby County next season.