Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
The Wales international suffered a recurrence of his troublesome shoulder injury in October, while the club have confirmed he will now undergo surgery on Thursday.
Liverpool's first-team doctor Zaf Iqbal told the club's website: "Joe Allen is due to have a left shoulder operation tomorrow morning in Liverpool and will be ready to return to football at the beginning of next season."
The 23-year-old was brought off by Brendan Rodgers at half time in the 3-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday and subsequently withdrew from Wales' squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Liverpool have confirmed that Allen will be available for the start of next season.
