Yannick Bolasie is set to miss up to a year's worth of football after the Everton winger underwent surgery on a ruptured knee ligament.
The DR Congo international will be out for a period of 11 to 12 months, with Sky Sports News making the announcement on their official Twitter account courtesy of Blues boss Ronald Koeman.
Bolasie suffered the injury in the 1-1 home draw with Manchester United at the beginning of December, and speculation had been rife that the pacy wideman would be unavailable for some time.
BREAKING: Ronald Koeman says Everton winger Yannick Bolasie will be out for 11 to 12 months after knee surgery. #SSNHQ
The fears have now been realised after the 27-year-old went under the knife once more following a reduction in the swelling around the knee joint.
Koeman told the press at Everton's Annual General Meeting in Liverpool:
"It will be around 11-12 months before he is back. That is a big disappointment but he will come back."
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