Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta is to undergo surgery early next week on his ruptured cruciate knee ligaments.
The Spanish midfielder sustained the injury in the opening moments of Sunday's 0-0 draw with Newcastle at St James' Park and is facing six months on the sidelines as he battles back to full fitness.
Such an absence would see one of David Moyes' most influential players struggling to be fit for the start of the 2009/10 season.
Arteta has requested that the operation on his damaged right knee takes place in his homeland and Everton physio Mick Rathbone will fly out to Spain before reporting back to manager Moyes.
It has been reported that the surgeon who operated on Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas when he suffered his own knee problem will be responsible for Arteta's care.
Rathbone told the club's official website: "We are going to Barcelona on Monday to see the knee specialist over there.
"We think he will operate on Tuesday and we will take it from there.
"Mikel is a very mature, strong guy and he's already talking about the start of next season."
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