Millwall striker Richard Sadlier will be out of action for another three months after a second hip operation.
Sadlier has made just one substitute appearance this season because of his ongoing injury and saw a specialist last week.
But he was told he needs another operation to remove cartilage in his hip joint and will go under the knife on Tuesday.
He said: "I think it will be a while before I'm playing again. It's frustrating."
Sadlier missed the play-offs last season because of the injury, which also ruined any chance he had of making the Republic of Ireland's World Cup squad.
