Everton defender Morgan Feeney is set to undergo double knee surgery.
Feeney made his first-team debut for the Blues earlier this season with two appearances in the club’s unsuccessful Europa League campaign.
The 19-year-old remained a key part of the under-23 side since being handed the armband with the reigning Premier League 2 champions in September.
But Feeney has now flown out to Sweden on Tuesday to seek specialist treatment in efforts to resolve a tendon problem.
It means the teenager will face a spell on the sidelines for the remainder of this season and potentially into the summer months also.
In December, the Bootle-born defender pledged his long-term future to Goodison Park with a new contract until the end of June 2020.