Huddersfield Town will be without top scorer James Vaughan for the rest of the Championship campaign.
The injury-plagued 25-year-old will have surgery to remove a cyst in a knee.
Manager Mark Robins is confident he will be fully fit for pre-season this summer.
The development is a big blow to both the club, who host Bolton tomorrow, and the player.
Vaughan, who has 12 goals this season, recently returned from a torn calf.
And Robins hoped he could develop a partnership with Nahki Wells over the remaining seven matches.
Wells has netted five times since his Town record £1.3m move from Bradford City in January.
Everton product Vaughan was a £600,000 signing from Norwich last summer.
He was on loan to Town last season and played a key role in their Championship survival with 14 goals.
He began this season impressively, scoring 11 times in his first 12 games.
But a red card at Leicester in October brought a three-game suspension.
Then injury problems kicked in for the former England Under 21 player.
“It’s a setback, of course,” said Robins. “But the intervention is needed.
“The problem has been restricting his movement, and by having surgery now, he will be fine for pre-season.
“It’s a procedure I had myself as a player, so I know what a difference it will make for James.
“He is devastated, but also philosophical, because he knows it has to be done.”
Robins says Joel Lynch is in the frame to face Bolton.
The Wales international defender has missed eight games after groin surgery.
Robins, whose side are 16th, a place and a point above Bolton, says he could utilise youth against Wanderers.
“I’m keen to blood one or two of our talented young players,” he said.
“But the circumstances and timing have to be right.”
Town have another home game on Tuesday, when play-off chasing Ipswich visit.
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