TOTTENHAM midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is set to be ruled out until NOVEMBER after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
The 25-year-old Uruguayan limped off during Spurs' 4-1 loss to Leicester earlier this month.
It was later confirmed he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
Now, after going under the knife this week, he is expected to miss a significant portion of NEXT SEASON.
Bentancur has been a crucial midfielder for Antonio Conte over the past 12 months.
He arrived from Juventus in January of last year and has been ever-present in Tottenham's side.
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He has already racked up 44 appearances for Spurs, contributing six goals and six assists.
And his absence could prove decisive in Tottenham's pursuit of the top four this season.
They occupy fourth place heading into this weekend's fixtures, but only hold a one-point lead over Newcastle in fifth.
They are also still in the Champions League as they prepare to try and overturn a 1-0 deficit against AC Milan.
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Last week, with Yves Bissouma also out injured and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg suspended, Conte was forced to field Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr in Milan.
But the pair did impress in defeat as Conte looks to welcome Hojbjerg back into the fold for the return leg.
Tottenham face a packed schedule over the next few weeks with six games in 20 days.
The Premier League clash at home to Chelsea will be followed up 72 hours later by a trip to Sheffield United in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
They then head to Wolves in the league, before the second leg of their European tie against Milan.
Another three-day turnover then sees them host Nottingham Forest, with a trip to Southampton their final game prior to the international break.
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