Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori is expected to spend between six and nine months on the sidelines after undergoing further surgery on a knee injury, the club said on Wednesday.
The Argentina international made 23 Premier League appearances for Everton last season but sustained the season-ending injury while on international duty in March.
And any hopes the 26-year-old had of returning early next season were dashed after the defender suffered a serious setback during his recuperation.
'Ramiro Funes Mori has had a problem within his knee and has undergone further surgery in Barcelona which will require prolonged rehabilitation of a minimum of six to nine months,' the club said on their website.